crevice
/ˈkrɛvɪs
/noun
A narrow opening or fissure, especially in a rock or wall: many creatures hide in crevices in the rock...
- A lack of legs helps them fit into tight gaps and crevices and down narrow holes.
- The figure is formed by shadows of rocks when the sun penetrates the cave trough openings and crevices.
- They lead an active life during the day and sleep at night, often hiding in caves or rock crevices.
Synonyms
crack, fissure, cleft, chink, interstice, cranny, nook, vent, slot, slit, split, rift, gash, rent, fracture, rupture, breach, perforation;
opening, gap, hole, aperture, orifice, pore, space, groove;
Medicine hiatus, foramen
technical scission
Origin
Middle English: from Old French crevace, from crever 'to burst', from Latin crepare 'to rattle, crack'.
crayfish from Middle English:
A crayfish is not a fish but a freshwater crustacean that looks like a small lobster. Its name came into medieval English from Old French crevice, and was probably related to crab (although not to crevice (Middle English), which is from Old French crever, ‘to burst or split’). The spelling was altered in the 16th century simply because people thought that it made more sense: it lives in water, so it must be a fish.