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fissure

Syllabification: (fis·sure)
Pronunciation: /ˈfiSHər/

Definition of fissure

noun

  • a long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, especially in rock or earth.
  • chiefly Anatomy a long narrow opening in the form of a crack or groove, e.g., any of the spaces separating convolutions of the brain.
  • a state of incompatibility or disagreement:the fissure between private sector business and the newly expanding public sector

verb

[with object] (usually as adjective fissured)
  • split or crack (something) to form a long narrow opening:the skin becomes dry, fissured, and cracked

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin fissura, from findere 'to split'

fissure in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of fissure in the British & World English dictionary

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