Main Entry:

¹sect

Pronunciation:

\ˈsekt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

1 a: a dissenting or schismatic religious body ; especially : one regarded as extreme or heretical b: a religious denomination2archaic : 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