'Schism' definitions:
Definition of 'schism'
(from WordNet)
noun
Division of a group into opposing factions; "another schism like that and they will wind up in bankruptcy" [syn: schism, split]
noun
The formal separation of a church into two churches or the withdrawal of one group over doctrinal differences
Definition of 'Schism'
From: GCIDE
- Schism \Schism\, n. [OE. scisme, OF. cisme, scisme, F. schisme, L. schisma, Gr. schi`sma, fr. schi`zein to split; akin to L. scindere, Skr. chid, and prob. to E. shed, v.t. (which see); cf. Rescind, Schedule, Zest.] Division or separation; specifically (Eccl.), permanent division or separation in the Christian church; breach of unity among people of the same religious faith; the offense of seeking to produce division in a church without justifiable cause. [1913 Webster]
- Set bounds to our passions by reason, to our errors by truth, and to our schisms by charity. --Eikon Basilike. [1913 Webster]
- Greek schism (Eccl.), the separation of the Greek and Roman churches.
- Great schism, or Western schism (Eccl.) a schism in the Roman church in the latter part of the 14th century, on account of rival claimants to the papal throne.
- Schism act (Law), an act of the English Parliament requiring all teachers to conform to the Established Church, -- passed in 1714, repealed in 1719. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'schism'
From: Easton
- Schism a separation, an alienation causing divisions among Christians, who ought to be united (1 Cor. 12:25).
Synonyms of 'schism'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- affiliation,
- alienation,
- apostasy,
- betrayal,
- body,
- bolt,
- branch,
- breach,
- breach of friendship,
- break,
- breakaway,
- chasm,
- church,
- cleavage,
- cleft,
- communion,
- community,
- defection,
- denomination,
- dereliction,
- deserter,
- desertion,
- disaffection,
- disfavor,
- disruption,
- dissent,
- dissidence,
- disunion,
- disunity,
- divergence,
- dividedness,
- division,
- estrangement,
- faction,
- falling-out,
- fellowship,
- fissure,
- fracture,
- group,
- heterodoxy,
- misbelief,
- nonconformism,
- nonconformity,
- offshoot,
- open rupture,
- order,
- organization,
- party,
- persuasion,
- ratting,
- recall of ambassadors,
- religious order,
- rent,
- rift,
- rupture,
- school,
- secession,
- sect,
- sectarism,
- segment,
- separation,
- society,
- split,
- unorthodoxy,
- variety,
- version,
- walkout