sect
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1sect

noun \ˈsekt\

Definition of SECT

1
a : a dissenting or schismatic religious body; especially : one regarded as extreme or heretical
b : a religious denomination
2
archaic : sex 1 <so is all her sect — Shakespeare>
3
a : a group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to a leader
b : party
c : faction

Examples of SECT

  1. <one sect of medical researchers holds the minority view that the disease is not caused by that virus>

Origin of SECT

Middle English secte, from Anglo-French & Late Latin & Latin; Anglo-French, group, faction, from Late Latin secta organized ecclesiastical body, from Latin, course of action, way of life, probably from sectari to pursue, frequentative of sequi to follow — more at sue
First Known Use: 14th century

Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms

Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra

Rhymes with SECT

2sect

abbreviation

Definition of SECT

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

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