WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Schism
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. scisme, OF. cisme, scisme, F. schisme, L. schisma, Gr. scindere, Skr. child, and prob. to E. shed, v.t. (which see); cf. Rescind, Schedule, Zest.]
Definition : Defn: 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. Set bounds to our passions by reason, to our errors by truth, and to our schisms by charity. Eikon Basilike.

Greek schism (Eccl.), the separation of the Greek and Roman churches. -- Great schism, or Western schism (Eccl.) a schism in the 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(Law), an act of the English Parliament requiring all teachers to conform to the Established Church, -- passed in 1714, repealed in 1719.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913