schism
n. countablen. a serious disagreement that splits a group into two separate parts. It often happens in religions or political groups when people cannot agree on important rules.
n. a formal division or separation within a group or organisation, typically caused by a fundamental disagreement over doctrine or policy. Frequently used in ecclesiastical or political contexts to describe the formation of rival factions.
The disagreement caused a deep schism in the political party.
The Great Schism of 1054 resulted in the permanent separation of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
While the leadership attempted to project an image of unity, a growing ideological schism between the traditionalists and the reformers threatened to tear the institution apart from within.
From Middle English scisme, from Old French cisme or scisme, from Ancient Greek σχίσμα (skhísma, “division”), from σχίζω (skhízō, “I split”). Doublet of schisma. Compare chasm. This word was historically pronounced /ˈsɪzəm/ (and still is among the clergy); the pronunciations /ˈʃɪzəm/, /ˈskɪzəm/ are due to the spelling (the latter may have been reinforced by learned influence); compare schedule.
Often paired with the adjectives 'deep', 'wide', or 'great'.