Schism
/ˈsɪz.əm/noun
A split or division, especially in a religious or political group.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek schízein, “to split,” the same ancient root behind words like schizophrenia and schist, so its history is literally about a break in reality.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skei-
“to cut, split, cleave”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σχίζειν (skhizein)
“to split, cleave, tear apart”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σχίσμα (skhísma)
“a split, rent, division”
Late Latin
Latin
schisma
“a division, especially in the church”
Old French
Old French
schisme
“a religious split or dissension”
Middle English
English
schisme
“a formal division or separation in a church”
Modern English
English
schism
“a split or division, especially in an organization or religious body”
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