schism

(skĭz'əm, sĭz'-)
n.

1. A separation or division into factions.
2. 1. A formal breach of union within a Christian church.
   2. The offense of attempting to produce such a breach.
3. 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 (sĭz'əm). 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 (skĭz'əm). 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 (skĭz'əm), while 31 percent said they use (sĭz'əm). A smaller number, 8 percent, preferred a third pronunciation, (shĭz'əm).

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meaning 'the division of a group into opposing sections', is now commonly heard as skizm in place of the older form sizm recognized by the Old English (up to 1150)D (1910).

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noun

1. An interruption in friendly relations: alienation, breach, break, disaffection, estrangement, fissure, rent², rift, rupture, split. See assemble/disassemble, help/harm/harmless.
2. A state of disagreement and disharmony: clash, conflict, confrontation, contention, difference, difficulty, disaccord, discord, discordance, dissension, dissent, dissentience, dissidence, dissonance, faction, friction, inharmony, strife, variance, war, warfare. See conflict/cooperation.
3. The condition of being divided, as in opinion: disunion, disunity, divergence, divergency, division. See assemble/disassemble.

Schism appeared early in the history of Buddhism due in part to the Buddha's refusal to appoint a successor as leader of the monastic order (Saṃgha) and his reluctance to impose a rigid discipline in matters of monastic practice. He counselled his followers to be ‘lamps unto themselves’ and Buddhism has never recognized a supreme source of authority in matters of doctrine or practice. Technically, a schism (saṃghabheda) is defined as occurring when nine fully ordained monks leave a community together as a result of dissent and perform their own ecclesiatical services. If the number is less than nine there is ‘dissent’ rather than schism. To cause a schism maliciously or from selfish motives is considered a grave offence and one destined for swift retribution (ānantarya-karma). On the effects of schism in Buddhism see Eighteen Schools Of Early Buddhism.

IN BRIEF: Breaking off, division, parting of ways.

Differing views caused a schism among members of the group.

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For a list of words related to schism, see:

• Practice and Doctrine - schism: split or division over orthodoxy in religious group, esp. Great Schism, as between Roman and Eastern churches in 9th c. and during period of rival popes in 14th to 15th c.

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - skisma, splittelse

Nederlands (Dutch)
verscheurdheid, (kerk) scheuring, schisma

Français (French)
n. - schisme

Deutsch (German)
n. - Schisma, Spaltung

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (θρησκ., μτφ.) σχίσμα

Italiano (Italian)
scisma

Português (Portuguese)
n. - cisma (f), dissidência (f)

Русский (Russian)
раскол, ересь, схизма, секта

Español (Spanish)
n. - división, separación, cisma, escisión

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - schism, söndring, splittring

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
分裂, 宗派分立罪, 分立

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 分裂, 宗派分立罪, 分立

한국어 (Korean)
n. - (단체의) 분열, (종파의) 분열, 종파 분립죄

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 分派, 分裂, 分離, 宗派分立罪

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) أنفصال, أنقسام‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮פילוג, שסע, מחלוקת‬

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