Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828)

Displaying 1 result(s) from the 1913 edition:

Schism (Page: 1285)

Schism (?), n. [OE. scisme, OF. cisme, scisme, F. schisme, L. schisma, Gr. , fr. to split; akin to L. scindere, Skr. child, 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.

[1286]

Greek schism (Eccl.), the separation of the Greek and Roman churches. -- Great schism, ∨ 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(Law), an act of the English Parliament requiring all teachers to conform to the Established Church, -- passed in 1714, repealed in 1719.