1. a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief: "the widening schism between Church leaders and politicians"
▪ the formal separation of a Church into two Churches or the secession of a group owing to doctrinal and other differences.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French scisme, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek skhisma ‘cleft’, from skhizein ‘to split’.