scission

[ sizh-uhn, sish- ]

noun

1. a cutting, dividing, or splitting; division; separation.
2. Chemistry. cleavage ( def 7 ).

scission

/ ˈsɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of cutting, splitting, or dividing

Word History and Origins

Origin of scission¹

1400–50; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Late Latin scissiōn- (stem of scissiō ) a cutting, equivalent to sciss ( us ) (past participle of scindere to cut) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of scission¹

C15: from Late Latin scissiō, from scindere to split

Example Sentences

He, therefore, has the scission in himself, he longs to leave and be restored out of this realm of mere nature.

From Project Gutenberg

It manifestly carries the Trojan scission into Olympus and drives out in disgrace the Trojan deities.

From Project Gutenberg

Does he not show within himself a deep scission—between his desire to return and his deed?

From Project Gutenberg

Scission is seen to take place equally in the world of ideas; but the result, instead of being a new life, is a new abstraction.

From Project Gutenberg

But who can say what would be the evils of a scission, and when and where they would end?

From Project Gutenberg