I. ˈrift noun
Etymology: Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Norwegian rift fissure, Old Norse rīfa to rive — more at rive
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : fissure , crevasse
b. : fault 5
2. : a clear space or interval
3. : breach , estrangement
II. verb
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
: to burst open
transitive verb
1. : cleave , divide
hills were rift ed by the earthquake
2. : penetrate