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| schism [ skízzəm, sízzəm ] (plural schisms) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. division in religious denomination: a major split within an established religious denomination, usually on the grounds of differences in belief or practice, leading to the setting up of a separate breakaway organization, or the offense of causing such a split
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2. divisive unpleasant split: the division of a group into mutually antagonistic factions
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3. faction: a faction formed as a result of a schism
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| [14th century. Via French< late Latin schisma< Greek skhizein "to split"] |