rift
[ rift ]
/ rɪft /
noun
verb (used with or without object)
to burst open; split.
Origin of rift
1250–1300; Middle English < Old Norse
ript breaking of an agreement (compare Danish, Norwegian
rift cleavage), derivative of
rīfa to tear (cognate with
rive)
SYNONYMS FOR rift
OTHER WORDS FROM rift
rift·less, adjective un·rift·ed, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rift
riff riftWords nearby rift
rifleman,
riflery,
riflescope,
rifling,
riflip,
rift,
rift saw,
rift valley,
rift valley fever,
rift zone,
rift-sawed
Example sentences from the Web for rift
British Dictionary definitions for rift (1 of 2)
rift
1
/ (rɪft) /
noun
a gap or space made by cleaving or splitting; fissure
geology
a long narrow zone of faulting resulting from tensional stress in the earth's crust
a gap between two cloud masses; break or chink
he saw the sun through a rift in the clouds
a break in friendly relations between people, nations, etc
verb
to burst or cause to burst open; split
Word Origin for rift
C13: from Old Norse; related to Danish
rift cleft, Icelandic
ript breach of contract
British Dictionary definitions for rift (2 of 2)
rift
2
/ (rɪft) /
noun US
a shallow or rocky part in a stream
the backwash from a wave that has just broken
Word Origin for rift
C14: from Old Norse
rypta; related to Icelandic
ropa to belch
Scientific definitions for rift
rift
[ rĭft ]
A continental rift.
A narrow break, crack, or other opening in a rock, usually made by cracking or splitting.