Main Entry: ¹fis·sure

Pronunciation: \ˈfi-shər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin fissura, from fissus

Date: 14th century

1 : a narrow opening or crack of considerable length and depth usually occurring from some breaking or parting
2 a : a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance of an organ b : a break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane
3 : a separation or disagreement in thought or viewpoint : schism <fissures in a political party>