Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Scission Meaning: Definition and Examples

✂️
Add to dictionary

scission

[ˈsɪʃ.ən ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

division, separation

Scission refers to the act of cutting or dividing something into parts. It is commonly used in discussions about organizational structures and political entities to describe a splitting or dividing process.

Synonyms

disunion, division, separation, splitting.

Examples of usage

  • The scission of the company resulted in two independent entities.
  • The political party experienced a scission after the election.
  • Scission can lead to increased competition in the market.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In biology, scission can refer to the splitting of cells during reproduction, a critical process for life.
  • Chemical scission is important in reactions where complex molecules are broken down into simpler parts.
  • Scission is also used in the field of genetics to describe the cutting and recombination of DNA strands.

Literature

  • The word appears in various literary contexts, symbolizing conflict or division in narratives.
  • Poets often utilize the concept of scission to explore themes of separation, loss, or transformation.
  • In philosophical texts, scission is used metaphorically to discuss the division of ideas or beliefs, highlighting dualities.

Psychology

  • In psychological discussions, scission may describe the splitting of one’s self-concept in response to trauma or conflict.
  • The concept of cognitive dissonance can relate to scission, where conflicting beliefs lead to a mental split.
  • Therapeutic practices sometimes aim to help individuals heal the internal 'scissions' they experience due to emotional distress.

Politics

  • Scission can describe the breaking away of political parties or factions from a larger coalition.
  • The term can also refer to the division of societies or communities during a political upheaval.
  • Historically, scission has been pivotal in understanding revolutions or movements that result in factions splitting from central authority.

Origin of 'scission'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'scissio', which means 'to cut'.
  • Related to the verb 'scindere', meaning 'to split' or 'to cleave', it shows how the word evolved from ancient language.
  • In early uses, the word often referred to physical cuts in materials before expanding to metaphorical meanings.

The term scission comes from the Latin word 'scissio', meaning 'a cutting', which is derived from 'scindere', meaning 'to cut'. This Latin root has influenced many words in English that pertain to division or separation. The word gained usage in English around the 19th century and has since been employed in various fields, including law, business, and political science, to indicate the process or action of splitting something into parts. Its application can be seen in contexts like corporate breakups, ideological splits in groups, and discussions of individual rights versus collective obligations.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,645, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.