crevasse
C1Technical, Literary
Definition
Meaning
A deep, steep-sided crack or fissure in a glacier or snow field.
Can metaphorically describe any deep, dangerous fissure or profound, seemingly impassable division.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In glaciology, 'crevasse' refers specifically to fractures in moving ice caused by stress. Informally, it can describe any large, dangerous crack.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'crevice' (a small crack) is more common in everyday speech; 'crevasse' is reserved for large, dangerous fissures, especially in ice. In UK usage, 'crevasse' is standard for the glacial feature, with less overlap with 'crevice'.
Connotations
Primarily connotes danger, the sublime power of nature, and a hidden, treacherous obstacle.
Frequency
Low frequency in general speech but standard in mountaineering, glaciology, and related descriptive contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[fall/plunge/slide] into a crevasse[cross/span/bridge] a crevassea crevasse [opens up/forms/runs]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The crevasse of misunderstanding (metaphorical)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; metaphorically for a 'deep financial or strategic divide'.
Academic
Common in earth sciences, geography, glaciology. Used metaphorically in social sciences for deep societal divisions.
Everyday
Very rare; only in contexts discussing mountains, glaciers, or documentaries.
Technical
Standard term in glaciology, mountaineering, and polar exploration for a specific glacial feature.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The glacier began to crevasse under the intense summer pressure.
American English
- The ice shelf is starting to crevasse, forming dangerous new gaps.
adjective
British English
- The crevasse field was deemed impassable by the expedition.
American English
- They mapped the crevasse zones for the rescue team.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The climber was careful near the big crack in the ice.
- They used ropes to cross the deep crack in the glacier.
- The team had to navigate a series of dangerous crevasses on the glacier.
- A hidden crevasse, concealed by a fragile snow bridge, posed the greatest threat to the expedition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a massive, icy 'crack' so vast you need a 'vast' amount of care to cross it: cre-VASSE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CREVASSE IS A DANGEROUS DIVISION (e.g., "a crevasse of political ideology").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'трещина' (crack/crevice) for small cracks. 'Crevasse' implies scale and danger. Closer to 'расселина', 'пропасть'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'crevasse' (large, icy fissure) with 'crevice' (small crack in rock).
- Misspelling as 'crevice' or 'crevass'.
- Using it for man-made cracks.
Practice
Quiz
Which word is most specific to a large, dangerous crack in a glacier?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'crevasse' is a large, deep crack, typically in a glacier or ice sheet. A 'crevice' is a smaller, narrow crack, usually in rock or a wall.
Yes, it can metaphorically describe a profound and dangerous division, e.g., 'a crevasse of distrust opened between the two nations.'
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term. It is common in technical fields like glaciology and mountaineering but rare in everyday conversation.
In British English: /krɪˈvæs/ (kri-VAS). In American English: /krəˈvæs/ (kruh-VAS). The stress is on the second syllable.