GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Rift , obs. p. p. of Rive.
   Spenser.
   
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2.       
   Rift, n. [Written also reft.] [Dan. rift, fr. rieve to rend. See Rive.]
   An opening made by riving or splitting; a cleft; a fissure.
   Spenser.
   
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   A shallow place in a stream; a ford.
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3.       
   Rift, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Rifting.] To cleave; to rive; to split; as, to rift an oak or a rock; to rift the clouds.
   Longfellow.
   
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   To dwell these rifted rocks between.
   Wordsworth.
   
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4.       
   Rift, v. i.
   To burst open; to split.
   Shak.
   
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   Timber . . . not apt to rif with ordnance.
   Bacon.
   
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   To belch. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
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