Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sect
Sect
(sĕkt)
, Noun.
[L.
secare
, sectum
, to cut.] A cutting; a scion.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Sect
(sĕkt)
, Noun.
[F. ]
secte
, L. secta
, fr. sequi
to follow; often confused with L. secare
, sectum
, to cut. See Sue
to follow, and cf. Sept
, Suit
, Noun.
Those following a particular leader or authority, or attached to a certain opinion; a company or set having a common belief or allegiance distinct from others; in religion, the believers in a particular creed, or upholders of a particular practice; especially, in modern times, a party dissenting from an established church; a denomination; in philosophy, the disciples of a particular master; a school; in society and the state, an order, rank, class, or party.
He beareth the sign of poverty,
And in that
And in that
sect
our Savior saved all mankind. Piers Plowman.
As of the
He kept his lay, to which that he was sworn.
sect
of which that he was born,He kept his lay, to which that he was sworn.
Chaucer.
The cursed
sect
of that detestable and false prophet Mohammed. Fabyan.
As concerning this
sect
[Christians], we know that everywhere it is spoken against. Acts xxviii. 22.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sect
SECT
,Noun.
1. A body or number of persons united in tenets, chiefly in philosophy or religion, but constituting a distinct party by holding sentiments different from those of other men. Most sects have originated in a particular perlon, who taught and propagated some peculiar notions in philosophy or religion, and who is considered to have been its founder. Among the jews, the principal sects were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. In Greece were the Cynic sect, founded by Antisthenes; and the Academic sect, by Plato. The Academic sect gave birth to the Peripatetic, and a Cynic to the Stoic.
2. A cutting or coin. [Not used.]