[rift] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to Dan & Norw rift fissure, ON rifa to rive--more at rive] (14c) 1 a: fissure, crevasse b: fault 5
2: a clear space or interval
3: breach, estrangement
[2]rift vi (14c): to burst open ~ vt 1: cleave, divide "hills were ~ed by the earthquake"
2: penetrate