I. (Very rarely), a separation of married persons, Ter. And. 3, 3, 36; “of the people into parties (with seditio),” Gell. 2, 12: “stellarum et discessiones et coetus,” separations and conjunctions, id. 14, 1, 8; cf.: “plebei a patribus, et aliae dissensiones,” Sall. H. Fragm. 1, 9 Dietsch.—
II. A going away, departure, removal.
A. In gen. (very rarely; cf. “discessus): Nonanus desolatus aliorum discessione,” Tac. A. 1, 30 fin.: “necessaria,” Macr. S. 1, 5, 3.—Far more freq.,
B. In partic.
1. Polit. t. t., a going over to any one in voting: “senatusconsultum de supplicatione per discessionem fecit,” Cic. Phil. 3, 9 fin.; Tac. A. 6, 12; Suet. Tib. 31; cf. Varr. ap. Gell. 14, 7, 12.—Esp.: discessionem facere, to make a division, i. e. to get the vote of the house by dividing it, Cic. Phil. 14, 7 fin.; Hirt. B. G. 8, 52 fin.; 8, 53; Cic. Sest. 34, 74; Tac. A. 3, 69 fin. al.—
2. In the church, a separation, schism (eccl. Lat.), Vulg. Act. 21, 21; id. 2 Thes. 2, 3.
