a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief (宗派或政党的)分裂 ■the formal separation of a Church into two Churches or the secession of a group owing to doctrinal and other differences 教会分裂。 参见 Great Schism
语源
late Middle English: from Old French scisme, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek skhisma 'cleft', from skhizein 'to split'