Schism \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.
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         Set bounds to our passions by reason, to our errors by
         truth, and to our schisms by charity.    --Eikon
                                                  Basilike.
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   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      Church, -- passed in 1714, repealed in 1719.
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	Great Schism
    n 1: the period from 1378 to 1417 during which there were two
         papacies in the Roman Catholic Church, one in Rome and one
         in Avignon