schisma

Forms

schisma n (genitive schismatis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek σχίσμα (skhísma, “split, schism”),^[1][2][3] a noun from σχίζω (skhízō, “to split”).^[1] Isidore explained it as named from a split of minds.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Tertullian (c. 160–220 AD) is the first to use it, beside dissensiones, for divisions among Christians.^[2][5][6][7]

Semantic evolution

In Christian Latin it meant a split, disunion or discord, and in particular a schism in the Church.^[2][8] Isidore distinguished it from heresy: the schismatics share the same faith and rites, but take pleasure in separation from the congregation.^[4] In Ecclesiastical Latin it is defined as refusal to submit to the Roman Pontiff.^[9] Medieval writers used it of any division or conflict, also between king and archbishop, and of dissent.^[3] In music theory it named a small interval, half of a Pythagorean comma.^[10] English took schism from Old French and directly from Church Latin in the late 14th century.^[11]

Timeline

• c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it of divisions among Christians.^[2][5][7]
• 390–406 AD – The Vulgate has it for a division of opinion in John 9:16.^[2][6][7]
• 798 – A royal letter fears a split that would tear “the seamless tunic of Christ”.^[3]
• late 14th century – English borrows schism.^[11]

Meanings

Noun

1. A split, separation, disunion.^[2][8][1]
2. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A schism in the Church.^[2][9][8]
3. (Medieval Latin) Discord, conflict; dissent.^[3]
4. (Medieval Latin, music) A small interval, half a Pythagorean comma.^[10]

Related words

• schismaticus
• English schism

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
3. ^ a b c d Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
5. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ a b Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
7. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
8. ^ a b c Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
9. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
10. ^ a b Lexicon musicum Latinum medii aevi (1992–), Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften; online ed. Wörterbuchnetz
11. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com