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rift
[ rift ]
/ rɪft /
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noun
verb (used with or without object)
to burst open; split.
OTHER WORDS FOR rift
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Question 1 of 7
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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)
OTHER WORDS FROM rift
riftless, adjectiveun·rift·ed, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rift
riff, riftWords nearby rift
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use rift in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for rift (1 of 2)
rift1
/ (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 chinkhe 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)
rift2
/ (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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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