rift
pronunciation
How to pronounce rift in British English:
UK [rɪft]
How to pronounce rift in American English:
US [rɪft]
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- Noun:
- a gap between cloud masses
- a narrow fissure in rock
- a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
Word Origin
- rift (n.)
- early 14c., "a split, act of splitting," from a Scandinavian source (compare Danish and Norwegian rift "a cleft," Old Icelandic ript (pronounced "rift") "breach;" related to Old Norse ripa "to break a contract" (see riven). Figurative use from 1620s. Geological sense from 1921. As a verb, c. 1300.
Example
- 1. The alternative is an ever greater u. s. - pakistani rift .
- 2. To behold a rift in the immense blue pane of the firmament !
- 3. Among the wider public , the trials appeared only to widen the rift between conservatives and their opponents .
- 4. Mr netanyahu is loth to lose any of his coalition partners and reluctant to open a rift within his own likud .
- 5. The move has caused a rift between mr lee and the president-elect , park geun-hye , and has caused widespread public anger .