schism
schism Lexical Profile
schism Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A deep division or split between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion, ideology, or belief.
"The heated policy debate created a lasting schism within the political party."
The formal separation of a church or religious body into two or more groups, or the refusal of submission to an established ecclesiastical authority.
"The Great Schism of 1054 permanently divided the Christian church into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches."
Word Nuance & Usage
Traditionally pronounced 'sizm' (with a silent 'ch') in formal and ecclesiastical contexts, though 'skizm' is now widely accepted and equally common in modern standard English.
• Rhymes for schism
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Old French scisme and Late Latin schisma, from Ancient Greek schisma ('a cleft, division'), derived from the verb schizein ('to split, cleave').