schism
/ˈskɪzəm/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.01 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A split or separation within a group or organization, typically caused by discord.
noun
A movement or organization that splits off from a larger body.
noun
A split within Christianity whereby a group is no longer in communion with the Church or its ecclesiastical authorities, but shares essentially the same beliefs; in other words, a political split without the introduction of heresy.
Example Sentences
- "A schism broke the organization into two rivals."
- "Despite personal schisms and differences in spiritual experience, there is a very coherent theology of Snape shared between the wives. To examine this manifestation of religious fandom, I will first discuss the canon scepticism and anti-Rowling sentiment that helps to contextualise the wider belief in Snape as a character who extends beyond book and film."
- "But Harry, in his civilian suit, was also a reminder of the schism between the traditional and the modern in the royal family that can’t be drowned out by pageantry."
- "He founded a schism that eventually rivaled the original organization in size."
- "The schism between Sunnis and Shias happened quite early in Islamic history."
- "The ordinations could prove to be the first significant crisis for Pope Leo because they provoke a schism – an intentional rupture of the church’s unity."
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. Compare chasm. 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.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *skey-, *skeyd-, scisme, cisme, σχίσμα
Usage
Inflected Forms
schisms (plural)
schisms (present, singular)
schisming (participle, present)
schismed (participle, past)
schismed (past)