schism
[ siz-uh m, skiz- ]
/ ˈsɪz əm, ˈskɪz- /
noun
division or disunion, especially into mutually opposed parties.
the parties so formed.
Ecclesiastical.
- a formal division within, or separation from, a church or religious body over some doctrinal difference.
- the state of a sect or body formed by such division.
- the offense of causing or seeking to cause such a division.
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
OTHER WORDS FROM schism
schism·less, adjectiveWords nearby schism
schipa,
schipperke,
schippers,
schirmer,
schirra,
schism,
schismatic,
schismatist,
schismatize,
schist,
schisto-
Example sentences from the Web for schism
British Dictionary definitions for schism
schism
/ (ˈskɪzəm, ˈsɪz-) /
noun
the division of a group into opposing factions
the factions so formed
division within or separation from an established Church, esp the Roman Catholic Church, not necessarily involving differences in doctrine
Word Origin for schism
C14: from Church Latin
schisma, from Greek
skhisma a cleft, from
skhizein to split
Cultural definitions for schism
schism
[ (siz-uhm, skiz-uhm) ]
A break within a church, such as the division between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.