schism
noun
[ ˈskɪz(ə)m ]
• 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"
Similar:
division,
split,
rift,
breach,
rupture,
break,
separation,
severance,
estrangement,
alienation,
detachment,
chasm,
gulf,
discord,
disagreement,
dissension,
disunion,
scission,
Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French scisme, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek skhisma ‘cleft’, from skhizein ‘to split’.
