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Fissure Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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fissure

[หˆfษชสƒษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

geology

A narrow opening or crack of considerable length and depth in the earth's surface, typically formed by the movement of tectonic plates.

Synonyms

cleft, crack, crevice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fissure

Use this word when describing a long, narrow opening or line of breakage, particularly in rock or other geological formations. It is often used in scientific or technical contexts.

  • The geologist studied the fissure in the cliff to determine its cause
crevice

This word applies to a narrow opening resulting from a split or crack, typically used to describe something in nature like rock faces, cliffs, or glaciers. It sounds slightly more specific and less general than 'crack'.

  • A small animal was hiding in the crevice of the rock
  • || The climber placed his hand carefully into the crevice to get a better grip
crack

This word is commonly used to describe a narrow space created by breaking or splitting, especially in a surface like a wall, glass, or pavement. It is the most general term and is often used in everyday language.

  • There was a crack in the glass after I dropped the vase
  • || The wall showed several cracks after the earthquake
cleft

This word is appropriate when referring to a split or indentation in an object or a surface, especially one that is natural in origin. It is also commonly used to describe parts of the body, like a cleft chin.

  • Her cleft chin gave her face a distinct appearance
  • || The tree had a cleft that made it look as if it were splitting in two

Examples of usage

  • The Grand Canyon is a massive fissure in the earth's surface.
  • The earthquake caused several new fissures to appear in the ground.
Context #2 | Noun

anatomy

A long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, especially in rock or bone.

Synonyms

cleft, rift, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fissure

Typically used in geology or medical contexts to describe a narrow opening or crack, especially in rocks, earth, or in the body.

  • The earthquake caused a deep fissure in the ground
  • The doctor noted a small fissure in the patient's bone
cleft

Often used to refer to a split or indentation in the skin or earth, or as a term in biology for naturally occurring splits or spaces in tissues.

  • The child was born with a cleft palate
  • The mountain climbers found shelter in a cleft in the rock
split

Commonly used to refer to dividing something into parts or groups, or a disagreement within a group. It can also denote physical separation.

  • There was a split in the team over the strategy
  • She managed to split the wood into smaller pieces
rift

Used to describe a serious break or gap, typically in relationships, as well as geological features. Often has a negative connotation in personal contexts.

  • A rift developed between the two friends after the argument
  • The landscape was marked by a wide rift

Examples of usage

  • The doctor found a small fissure in the patient's skull.
  • There was a deep fissure in the rock formation.
Context #3 | Verb

geology

To form a crack or cleft in the earth's surface.

Synonyms

cleave, crack, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fissure

Used to describe a long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, especially in a rock or the earth's surface.

  • The earthquake created a deep fissure in the ground
  • Scientists examined the fissure to understand the earth's movements
crack

Describes a line on the surface of something along which it has split without breaking apart, often used more casually.

  • There's a large crack in the wall that needs to be fixed
  • I heard a crack and knew the ice was breaking
split

Indicates dividing or causing to divide into parts or elements, often with implication of separating into two roughly equal parts. Can be used both literally and figuratively.

  • Let's split the cake into four pieces
  • They decided to split the workload between the team members
cleave

Refers to making a way through something forcefully, or splitting something into parts. Often used in a more dramatic or literary context.

  • He used an axe to cleave the log into smaller pieces
  • The hero's sword could cleave through any armor

Examples of usage

  • The ground fissured after the earthquake.
  • The intense heat caused the rocks to fissure.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Geology

  • Fissures can be found in Earthโ€™s crust and are often associated with volcanic activity.
  • They can also form due to erosion or the movement of tectonic plates over time.
  • Some fissures can release gases from underground, sometimes contributing to natural phenomenon like geysers.

Health

  • In medicine, fissures refer to splits in skin or mucous membranes, often occurring in areas like the anus.
  • Fissures can cause discomfort and might need medical treatment if they don't heal naturally.
  • Certain skin conditions can lead to the development of fissures, indicating deeper underlying issues.

Literature

  • Authors sometimes use fissures metaphorically to represent emotional or relational separations between characters.
  • In storytelling, a fissure can symbolize a turning point or a moment of crisis.
  • Famous works have featured fissures as settings for dramatic events or significant revelations.

Art

  • Artists may depict fissures in landscapes to symbolize change and the passage of time.
  • These cracks can also be interpreted as a sign of distress in abstract works, adding depth to the artwork.
  • Certain sculptures intentionally include fissures to invoke curiosity and engagement from the viewer.

Origin of 'fissure'

Main points about word origin

  • The word has roots in the Latin word 'fissura', meaning 'a splitting or cleft'.
  • It made its way into English during the early 1600s.
  • Related words, like 'fissile', describe the ability of something to split apart easily.

The word 'fissure' originated from the Latin word 'fissura', which means 'a cleft or crack'. It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe openings or cracks, both in geological and anatomical contexts. The concept of fissures has been integral in the study of tectonic plates and the formation of various landforms.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,091, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.