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.
QUIZZES
TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL PUNCTUATION!
Commas mark divisions in sentences. Periods end declarative sentences. Apostrophes show possession. Easy, right? Well, punctuation can get pretty tricky—fast. Think you got what it takes to be a punctuation expert? Take our quiz to prove it!
Question 1 of 10
Which of the options below is the best punctuation for the sentence? It__s your turn to pick the movie __ but your sister gets to pick the board game we _ re going to play.
Its your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.
It’s your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game were going to play.
It’s your turn to pick the movie, but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUTOrigin 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, adjectivechasmed, adjectivechasm·y, adjectiveWords nearby chasm
chase mortise, chaser, chasid, chasing, chasles, chasm, chasmogamous, chasmogamy, chasse gardée, chassepot, chasseur
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for chasm
British Dictionary definitions for chasm
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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