maul vs cleave

maul is a noun but cleave is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
maul	Yes	No	Yes	No
cleave	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, cleave is a hypernym of maul; that is, cleave is a word with a broader meaning than maul:

Other hypernyms of maul include rive, split.

maul (noun)	cleave (noun)
a heavy long-handled hammer used to drive stakes or wedges

maul (verb)	cleave (verb)
injure badly by beating	separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
split (wood) with a maul and wedges	make by cutting into
	come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation