chasm

English

Etymology

From Latin chasma, from Ancient Greek χάσμα (khásma, “abyss, cleft”).

Pronunciation
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈkæzəm/
  • Audio (GA)(file)
  • Rhymes: -æzəm

Noun

chasm (plural chasms)

  1. (geology, planetology) A deep, steep-sided rift, gap or fissure; a gorge or abyss.
    • 2019, Li Huang, James Lambert, “Another Arrow for the Quiver: A New Methodology for Multilingual Researchers”, in Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, →DOI, page 1:
      But always and ever there is a yawning chasm below[.]
  2. (by extension) A large difference of opinion.
    • 2024 February 10, Phil McNulty, “Manchester City 6-0 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport‎:
      Chelsea may not have regarded themselves as title rivals to City over the whole season but this was a harrowing illustration of the current chasm between the two sides and made for disturbing viewing for the Italian.

Alternative forms

Derived terms
  • chasma (“long, narrow, steep-sided depression on a body in the solar system”)

Translations

References

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