n.
Pronunciation: ' sek-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin section-, sectio, from secare to cut ― more at SAW
Date: 1534
1 a : the action or an instance of cutting or separating by cutting b : a part set off by or as if by cutting
2 : a distinct part or portion of something written (as a chapter, law, or newspaper)
3 a : the profile of something as it would appear if cut through by an intersecting plane b : the plane figure resulting from the cutting of a solid by a plane
4 : a natural subdivision of a taxonomic group
5 : a character § used as a mark for the beginning of a section and as a reference mark
6 : a piece of land one square mile in area forming especially one of the 36 subdivisions of a township
7 : a distinct part of a territorial or political area, community, or group of people <the historic section of the city>
8 a : a part that may be, is, or is viewed as separated <a board cut into section s > <the northern section of the route> b : one segment of a fruit : CARPEL
9 : a basic military unit usually having a special function
10 : a very thin slice (as of tissue) suitable for microscopic examination
11 a : one of the classes formed by dividing the students taking a course b : one of the discussion groups into which a conference or organization is divided
12 a : a part of a permanent railroad way under the care of a particular crew b : one of two or more vehicles or trains which run on the same schedule
13 : one of several component parts that may be assembled or reassembled <a bookcase in section s >
14 : a division of an orchestra composed of one class of instruments <the string section >
15 : SIGNATURE 3B
synonyms see PART