schism

Meaning

Noun

• A split or separation within a group or organization, typically caused by discord.
• A formal division or split within a religious body.
• 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.

Related

Similar words

• : division, separation, split

Opposite words

• : unity

Origin

• From Middle English scisme, from Old French cisme or scisme, from Ancient Greek σχίσμα ("division"), from σχίζω.