Definition of SCHISM

schism

Plural: schisms

Noun

  • A division or split, especially within an organization or group.
  • division of a group into opposing factions
    • "another schism like that and they will wind up in bankruptcy"
  • the formal separation of a church into two churches or the withdrawal of one group over doctrinal differences
  • A split or separation within a group or organization, typically caused by discord.
  • A formal division or split within a religious body.
  • a split within Christianity whereby a group no longer recognizes the Bishop of Rome as the head of the Church, but shares essentially the same beliefs with the Church of Rome. In other words, a political split without the introduction of heresy.

Verb

  • To split, divide (a group or organization).

Examples

  • The debate over which dictionary to use caused a SCHISM in the Scrabble club.
  • The schism between Sunnis and Shias happened quite early in Islamic history.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English scisme, from Old French cisme or scisme, from Ancient Greek σχίσμα (skhísma, “division”), from σχίζω (skhízō, “I split”). Doublet of schisma.
This word was historically pronounced /ˈsɪzəm/ (and still is among the clergy); the pronunciations /ˈʃɪzəm/, /ˈskɪzəm/ are due to the spelling (the latter may have been reinforced by learned influence); compare schedule.

Antonyms

unity

Scrabble Score: 13

schism: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
schism: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
schism: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

schism: valid Words With Friends Word