schism

American  

[siz-uhm, skiz-] / ˈsɪz əm, ˈskɪz- /

noun

1. division or disunion, especially into mutually opposed parties.

2. the parties so formed.

3. Ecclesiastical.

   1. a formal division within, or separation from, a church or religious body over some doctrinal difference.

   2. the state of a sect or body formed by such division.

   3. the offense of causing or seeking to cause such a division.

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schism British  

/ ˈsɪz-, ˈskɪzəm /

noun

1. the division of a group into opposing factions

2. the factions so formed

3. division within or separation from an established Church, esp the Roman Catholic Church, not necessarily involving differences in doctrine

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schism Cultural  

1. A break within a church, such as the division between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

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Other Word Forms

• schismless adjective

Etymology

Origin of schism

1350–1400; < Late Latin (Vulgate) sc ( h ) isma (stem sc ( h ) ismat- ) < Greek, derivative of schízein to split, with -ma (stem -mat- ) noun suffix of result; replacing Middle English ( s ) cisme, sisme < Middle French < Late Latin, as above

Example Sentences

It would no longer be a simple trans-Atlantic disagreement, but a new schism within the West.

From The Wall Street Journal

But this time, the schism feels more permanent.

From BBC

Despite later schisms that split Christianity, the council produced a foundational statement of the faith that is still shared by most of the world’s Christians today.

From The Wall Street Journal

The schisms underscore the growing fragility of the nascent coalition in the waning days of its founder.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was the first meeting between the heads of the two Churches since the great schism of 1054.

From BBC

Related Words

• alienation
• breakup
• disagreement
• discord
• dissension
• fissure
• rift
• rupture