Schism (?), n. [OE. scisme, OF.
cisme, scisme, F. schisme, L. schisma, Gr.
schi`sma, fr. schi`zein to split; akin to L.
scindere, Skr. chid, and prob. to E. shed, v.t.
(which see); cf. Rescind, Schedule, Zest.]
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 Roman 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Church, -- passed in 1714, repealed in 1719.