Crevice Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ•ณ๏ธ
Add to dictionary

crevice

[หˆkrษ›vษชs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in a rock formation

A narrow opening or fissure, especially in a rock or wall.

Synonyms

cleft, crack, crevasse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
crevice

Used to describe a narrow and small opening, usually in rocks or walls.

  • The lizard hid in the crevice of the stone wall.
  • Tiny plants grew in the crevice between the stones.
crack

Commonly used to indicate a narrow opening or line on the surface of something, implying a start of a break or fracture, can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

  • There's a crack in the vase.
  • The scandal showed a crack in their friendship.
cleft

Often used in geology and biology to describe a natural division or split, can be used metaphorically.

  • He has a distinctive cleft chin.
  • A deep cleft formed in the rock after the earthquake.
crevasse

Specifically used to describe a deep, open crack, especially one in a glacier or ice sheet. This term is more dramatic and less common in everyday language.

  • The mountaineers carefully crossed the icy crevasse.
  • Falling into a crevasse can be extremely dangerous.

Examples of usage

  • The hikers squeezed through the crevice in the mountain.
  • The light streamed in through the small crevice in the cave.
Context #2 | Noun

in a relationship

A gap or split between two people or in a relationship.

Synonyms

division, rift, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
crevice

Use 'crevice' to describe a small, narrow crack or opening, often found in rocks or other hard surfaces.

  • The lizard disappeared into a crevice in the cliff.
  • Dust had gathered in every crevice of the old, abandoned house.
rift

Often describes a serious break or disagreement in relationships or organizations.

  • A rift developed between the two friends after the argument.
  • The rift within the political party is becoming evident.
split

Commonly used for a physical separation or to describe dividing something into parts.

  • We need to split the cake evenly among the children.
  • The group decided to split into two teams.
division

Generally used to indicate the action of separating something into parts or the state of being separated.

  • The division of the company into smaller units was necessary for efficiency.
  • There is a clear division of responsibilities among the team members.

Examples of usage

  • There was a crevice in their friendship that they couldn't seem to mend.
  • The crevice between them grew wider as time went on.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Geology

  • Crevices can be formed through erosion over time, often found in rocky landscapes.
  • They play a role in ecosystems, providing habitats for plants and animals, like insects and rodents.

Literature

  • In literature, crevices often symbolize hidden feelings or secrets that characters must confront.
  • Famous authors, like J.R.R. Tolkien, used crevices in their fantasy worlds as places of adventure and danger.

Psychology

  • The term can metaphorically represent the 'crevices' in our mind where unresolved issues might dwell.
  • Cognitive therapy often explores these mental crevices to help individuals confront and understand their thoughts.

Art

  • Artists have depicted crevices to convey depth, tension, and the contrast between light and dark.
  • Crevices in sculptures or paintings can create focal points, drawing viewers' attention to small but significant details.

Origin of 'crevice'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin word 'crepare,' which means 'to crack or break.'
  • It entered the English language in the early 14th century, following the evolution of language in Middle English.

The word 'crevice' originated from Middle English 'crevace', which came from Old French 'crevace' and ultimately from Latin 'crepฤcia' meaning 'a fissure'. The use of 'crevice' in English dates back to the 14th century.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,894, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.