schism
noun/ˈskɪzəm/, /ˈsɪzəm/
/ˈskɪzəm/, /ˈsɪzəm/
[countable, uncountable] (formal)- strong disagreement within an organization, especially a religious one, that makes its members divide into separate groups
- schism within something The disagreement eventually led to a schism within the Church.
- schism between A and B the growing schism between the leadership and the ordinary party members
- By 1914 the party was dangerously close to schism.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French scisme, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek skhisma ‘cleft’, from skhizein ‘to split’.
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schism