chasm

[ kaz-uh m ]
/ ˈkæz əm /

noun

a yawning fissure or deep cleft in the earth's surface; gorge.
a breach or wide fissure in a wall or other structure.
a marked interruption of continuity; gap: a chasm in time.
a sundering breach in relations, as a divergence of opinions, beliefs, etc., between persons or groups.

Origin of chasm

1590–1600; apocopated variant of chasma < Latin < Greek, equivalent to cha- (root of chaínein to gape; see yawn) + -( a)sma resultative suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM chasm

chas·mal, chas·mic, adjective chasmed, adjective chasm·y, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for chasmal

chasm
/ (ˈkæzəm) /

noun

a deep cleft in the ground; abyss
a break in continuity; gap
a wide difference in interests, feelings, etc

Derived forms of chasm

chasmal (ˈkæzməl) or chasmic, adjective

Word Origin for chasm

C17: from Latin chasma, from Greek khasma; related to Greek khainein to gape