schism

[ siz-uhm, skiz- ]

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.

schism

/ 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

schism

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

Other Words From

• schismless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of schism¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of schism¹

C14: from Church Latin schisma, from Greek skhisma a cleft, from skhizein to split

Example Sentences

The schism forced them to leave the pub and left them homeless and out of work.

From BBC

It was “as much as Israel could take without a major schism with the Biden administration,” said Bradley Bowman, a military expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington.

From Los Angeles Times

The conundrum appears to have created a schism between some of Iran’s top leaders, who are proceeding with caution, and its biggest hard-liners, who are demanding swift and decisive action.

From Los Angeles Times

It is the latest of several reconciliation deals Hamas and Fatah have agreed on in their long fractured relationship, none of which have yet led to the end of the schism.

From BBC

Within Biden’s own Democratic Party there are schisms over whether he should be the next president, given concerns about his age.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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