Main Entry:

¹sec·tor

Pronunciation:

\ˈsek-tər, -ˌtȯr\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Late Latin, from Latin, cutter, from secare to cut — more at saw

Date:

1570

1 a: a geometric figure bounded by two radii and the included arc of a circle b (1): a subdivision of a defensive military position (2): a portion of a military front or area of operation c: an area or portion resembling a sector <bilingual sector of town — David Kleinberg> d: a sociological, economic, or political subdivision of society <cooperation between the public and private sectors — Peter Chapman>2: a mathematical instrument consisting of two rulers connected at one end by a joint and marked with several scales3: a subdivision of a track on a computer disk

— sec·tor·al \ˈsek-t(ə-)rəl\ adjective