Etymology From Middle English fissure, from Old French fissure, from Latin fissūra (“a cleft, chink”), from findō (“to cleave, split, divide”) + -tūra (nominal suffix).
1
A long, narrow crack or opening made by breaking or splitting, especially in rock or earth.
After Miller's Dale Junction, the main Derby-Manchester line crosses the Wye for the last time and turns north-west up Great Rocks Dale, a natural fissure several miles long.1960 April, J. P. Wilson, E. N. C. Haywood, “The route through the Peak—Derby to Manchester: Part Two”, in Trains Illustrated, page 224:
2
Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences A groove, deep furrow, elongated cleft or tear between body parts or in the substance of an organ.
3
Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences A break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane.
Etymology From Middle English fissure, from Old French fissure, from Latin fissūra (“a cleft, chink”), from findō (“to cleave, split, divide”) + -tūra (nominal suffix).