Tending to split, crack, or divide; having the quality of being easily cleft or separated.
Derived from Latin 'fissus' (split, cleft) + the English suffix '-ive' (indicating tendency or quality). This adjective emerged in English scientific language to describe materials or structures prone to splitting.
Rocks like slate are fissive—they naturally split into thin sheets, which is why people have used slate roofing for centuries rather than trying to crack granite or marble.
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