From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishschismschis‧m /ˈskɪzəm, ˈsɪzəm/ noun [countable, uncountable] RRCthe separation of a group into two groups, caused by a disagreement about its aims and beliefs, especially in the Christian church SYN split —schismatic /sɪzˈmætɪk, skɪz-/ adjective
Examples from the Corpus
schism• Wherever pentecostalism goes it evokes both joy and anger, gratitude and rejection, polemic 77 and schism.• However, an anticipated schism in party ranks failed to materialize.• In 1827, a fierce schism had shaken the Quaker community.• This second founding congress, however, was marred by an immediate schism.• Gradually I adjusted to the inner schism.• Much of the blame for the schism is generally attributed to Nikon, the overbearing prelate elevated to the Patriarchate in 1652.• The issues on which the schism turned have often seemed to Western scholars so insignificant as to be almost laughable.Origin schism (1300-1400) Old French cisme, from Late Latin schisma, from Greek, “division”, from schizein “to split” 