schism

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word schism. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word schism, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say schism in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word schism you have here. The definition of the word schism will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofschism, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

WOTD – 28 April 2007

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/; the pronunciations /ˈʃɪzəm/, /ˈskɪzəm/ are due to the spelling (the latter may have been reinforced by learned influence); compare schedule.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈskɪzəm/, /ˈsɪzəm/, /ˈʃɪzəm/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪzəm

Noun

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

schism (plural schisms)

  1. A split or separation within a group or organization, typically caused by discord.
    • 2014 March 3, Zoe Alderton, “‘Snapewives’ and ‘Snapeism’: A Fiction-Based Religion within the Harry Potter Fandom”, in Religions‎, volume 5, number 1, MDPI, →DOI, pages 219–257:
      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.
    • 2023 May 6, James Poniewozik, “Charles III Was Crowned King. But Can He Ever Be the Star?”, in The New York Times‎:
      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.
  2. (religion) A formal division or split within a religious body.
    The schism between Sunnis and Shias happened quite early in Islamic history.
  3. (Catholicism) 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.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • (split, division, separation): unity

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

division within a religious body
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Anagrams

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia