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 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