fissure

¹fis·sure

noun \ˈfi-shər\

Definition of FISSURE

1

: a narrow opening or crack of considerable length and depth usually occurring from some breaking or parting

2

a : a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance of an organ b : a break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane

3

: a separation or disagreement in thought or viewpoint : schism <fissures in a political party>

Examples of FISSURE

1. a fissure in the Earth's crust
2. a deep fissure in the ice

Origin of FISSURE

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin fissura, from fissus

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FISSURE

Synonyms: check, chink, cleft, cranny, crevice, crack, rift, split

Related Words: crevasse; craze, hairline; fracture, rupture; breach, gap, opening; cut, gash, incision, slit

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Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

Rhymes with FISSURE

fisher, swisher