- A separation or division into factions.
- A formal breach of union within a Christian church.
- The offense of attempting to produce such a breach.
- Disunion; discord.
[Middle English scisme, from Old French, from Latin schisma, schismat-, from Greek skhisma, from skhizein, to split.]
USAGE NOTE The word schism, which was originally spelled scisme in English, is traditionally pronounced (sĭzPRIMARY_STRESSəm). However, in the 16th century the word was respelled with an initial sch in order to conform to its Latin and Greek forms. From this spelling arose the pronunciation (skĭzPRIMARY_STRESSəm). Long regarded as incorrect, it became so common in both British and American English that it gained acceptability as a standard variant. Evidence indicates, however, that it is now the preferred pronunciation, at least in American English. In a recent survey 61 percent of the Usage Panel indicated that they use (skĭzPRIMARY_STRESSəm), while 31 percent said they use (sĭzPRIMARY_STRESSəm). A smaller number, 8 percent, preferred a third pronunciation, (shĭzPRIMARY_STRESSəm).
