n.
Pronunciation: ˌ skit-s ə - ' fr ē -n ē - ə
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin
Date: 1912
1 : a psychotic disorder characterized by loss of contact with the environment, by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life, and by disintegration of personality expressed as disorder of feeling, thought (as delusions), perception (as hallucinations), and behavior ― called also dementia praecox ― compare PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA
2 : contradictory or antagonistic qualities or attitudes <both parties ⋯ have exhibited schizophrenia over the desired outcome ― Elizabeth Drew>
– schizo · phren · ic \ - ' fre-nik \ adjective or noun
– schizo · phren · i · cal · ly \ -ni-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb