Chasm
/ˈkæz.əm/noun
A deep fissure in the earth's surface.
Did you know?The word 'chasm' is linked to the Greek word for' gap,' which was often associated with ominous places in myth, like the abyss or underworld.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰeh₁s-
“to gape, yawn, or open wide”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χάσμα (chásma)
“a gap, a chasm, often associated with deep voids or openings in the earth”
Late Latin
Latin
chasma
“a gap, cleft, or chasm, used in descriptions of deep fissures”
Middle English
Middle English
chasme
“a deep opening or abyss, often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts”
Modern English
English
chasm
“a profound fissure or void in the earth, often implying danger or depth”