Word
fissure
Phoneticsfis·sure, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɪʃɝ/
UK/fˈɪʃɐ/
Definition
n. a narrow crack or opening in a surface. In the body, it is a small gap between two parts of a muscle or skin.
n. a narrow crack or opening in a surface; in anatomical contexts, a small gap between two parts of a muscle or skin.
Examples
“A small fissure appeared in the dry earth.”
“The surgeon carefully examined the fissure between the two layers of skin to ensure the wound was healing correctly.”
“Geologists studied the deep fissure in the canyon wall to understand how the tectonic plates had shifted over millions of years.”
Examples
simple
“A small fissure appeared in the dry earth.”
contextual
“The surgeon carefully examined the fissure between the two layers of skin to ensure the wound was healing correctly.”
complex
“Geologists studied the deep fissure in the canyon wall to understand how the tectonic plates had shifted over millions of years.”
Real-World Examples
“The source turns out to be Laki, an Icelandic fissure that spewed lava for eight months starting in June 1783.” “There are fissures between many groups, with a huge array of conflicting issues at stake.” Etymology
From Middle English fissure, from Old French fissure, from Latin fissūra (“a cleft, chink”), from findō (“to cleave, split, divide”) + -tūra (nominal suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/fissure