Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - rift

n. & v. --n. 1 a a crack or split in an object. b an opening in a cloud etc. 2 a cleft or fissure in earth or rock. 3 a disagreement; a breach in friendly relations. --v.tr. tear or burst apart. Phrases and idioms rift-valley a steep-sided valley formed by subsidence of the earth's crust between nearly parallel faults. Derivatives riftless adj. rifty adj. Etymology: ME, of Scand. orig.