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, adjectiveWords nearby chasm
chase mortise,
chaser,
chasid,
chasing,
chasles,
chasm,
chasmogamous,
chasmogamy,
chasse gardée,
chassepot,
chasseur
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, adjectiveWord Origin for chasm
C17: from Latin
chasma, from Greek
khasma; related to Greek
khainein to gape