n.
Pronunciation: ' sekt
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