The noun schism comes to us almost directly from the Greek noun schísma (σχίσμα), meaning “a cleft” or “a division,” and the associated Greek verb skízo (σχίζω), meaning “to divide” or “to split.” Our use of the word schism means a formal division between people or institutions, as seen in the Great Schism of 1054, marking the break between Western (Roman Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) Churches.