— chasmal, chasmic , adj. — chasmed , adj. — chasmy , adj.
/kaz"euhm/ , n.
1. a yawning fissure or deep cleft in the earth's surface; gorge.
2. a breach or wide fissure in a wall or other structure.
3. a marked interruption of continuity; gap: a chasm in time.
4. a sundering breach in relations, as a divergence of opinions, beliefs, etc., between persons or groups.
[ 1590-1600; apocopated var. of chasma cha- (root of chaínein to gape; see YAWN) + -( a ) sma resultative suffix ]