5:3 CHASM

When and Where found:  I found this word while I was reading Relaxation Response by Herbert Benson.  When he used this word he was talking about science medicine and new age medicine, like meditation.

What it means: CHASM is a noun used to describe a marked division, separation or divide. Benson so eloquently used this word as a metaphor of how the book Relaxation Response bridged the divide between modern medicine and actual patient experience.

Level of Familiarity:  Similar to ELICIT, I understand this word best in context.  Luckily, Benson's text is "friendly"(Dreher & Singer, 2001) and he writes: "The CHASM was crossed, the gulf bridged" (1978, p. xxv).  This sentence cues the reader and helps connect meanings without loosing the flow of his paragraph.

To know well...or not? Yes, for descriptive writing purposes this word adds strong meaning.  CHASM can help describe a level of difference in opinion of groups, as it was used by Benson.  Knowing this word will best be suited from adding strength to persuasive writing pieces.