I. ˈsekt 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
II. abbreviation
section; sectional