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 scales
3 : a subdivision of a track on a computer disk

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