schism

UK:^*^*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈskɪzəm/, /ˈsɪzəm/

US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈsɪzəm, ˈskɪz-/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(siz′əm, skiz′-)

schism n.

separation, esp. into opposed sides, as in a church: [uncountable]The groups worked hard to avoid schism.[countable]The early days of that church were marked by bitter schisms.

schis•mat•ic adj.

schism n.

division or disunion, esp. into mutually opposed parties.
the parties so formed.
Religion[Eccles.]
- a formal division within, or separation from, a church or religious body over some doctrinal difference.
- the state of a sect or body formed by such division.
- the offense of causing or seeking to cause such a division.

Late Latin, as above
Middle French
Greek, derivative of schízein to split, with -ma (stem -mat-) noun, nominal suffix of result; replacing Middle English (s)cisme, sisme
Late Latin (Vulgate) sc(h)isma (stem sc(h)ismat-)
1350–1400

schism′less, adj.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

schism /ˈskɪzəm; ˈsɪz-/ n

the division of a group into opposing factions
the factions so formed
division within or separation from an established Church, esp the Roman Catholic Church, not necessarily involving differences in doctrine

Etymology: 14th Century: from Church Latin schisma, from Greek skhisma a cleft, from skhizein to split

'schism' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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