rift
UK: rɪft | US: rɪft
n. 1. A crack, split, or break in something (e.g., rock, earth).
n. 2. A serious disagreement or division between people or groups.
The word "rift" traces back to Old Norse ript (meaning "breach, rift"), related to the verb rífa ("to tear"). It entered Middle English via Scandinavian influence, retaining its core sense of a physical or metaphorical split. The geological usage emerged later, emphasizing natural fractures in rock or earth. The word's simplicity reflects its Germanic roots, where short, forceful terms often describe concrete actions or phenomena.
The earthquake created a deep rift in the valley.
A political rift divided the party into two factions.
Over time, a rift grew between the siblings over their inheritance.
Glaciers can cause rifts in the landscape as they move.
The treaty aimed to heal the rift between the warring nations.