crevasse
Translation
deep open crack, fissure, chasm in a glacier
Examples
The mountaineer fell into a deep crevasse.
The mountaineer fell into a deep crevasse.
They had to navigate around the dangerous crevasses.
They had to navigate around the dangerous crevasses.
Grammar Patterns
a/the crevasse a deep open crack, especially in a glacier The mountaineer fell into a deep crevasse.
Similar Words
Synonyms: fissure, chasm, crack, rift. A crevasse is large (in a glacier), while a crevice is small (in rock).
Etymology
From Old French 'crevace', from 'crever' meaning 'to burst, break'. It shares its root with 'crevice'.
Memory Tips
A crevasse is a VAST crack, often in ice. Think 'crevasse' in 'ice'.