n.
Pronunciation: ' si-z ə m, ' ski- also ' shi-; among clergy usu ' si-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English scisme, from Anglo-French scisme, cisme, from Late Latin schismat-, schisma, from Greek, cleft, division, from schizein to split ― more at SHED
Date: 14th century
1 : DIVISION , SEPARATION also : DISCORD , DISHARMONY <a schism between political parties>
2 a : formal division in or separation from a church or religious body b : the offense of promoting schism