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schism

[siz-uhm, skiz-]

Origin

noun

division or disunion, especially into mutually opposed parties.

the parties so formed.

Ecclesiastical.

a formal division within, or separation from, a church or religious body over some doctrinal difference.

the state of a sect or body formed by such division.

the offense of causing or seeking to cause such a division.

Origin:
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

Related forms

schism·less, adjective

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To schism

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Schism is always a great word to know.

So is callithumpian. Does it mean:

a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.

a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

schism (ˈskɪzəm, ˈsɪz-)

—n
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

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

schism

late 14c., scisme, "dissention within the church," from O.Fr. cisme "a cleft, split," from L.L. schisma, from Gk. skhisma (gen. skhismatos) "division, cleft," from stem of skhizein "to split" (see shed (v.)). Spelling restored 16c., but pronunciation unchanged. Often in reference

EXPAND

to the Great Schism (1378-1417) in the Western Church. Related: Schismatic (n.; late 14c.).

COLLAPSE

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Cultural Dictionary

schism [(siz-uhm, skiz-uhm)]

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

Easton

Bible Dictionary