I. ˈsek-shən 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
II. verb
( sec·tioned ; sec·tion·ing -sh(ə-)niŋ)
Date: 1819
transitive verb
1. : to cut or separate into sections
section an orange
2. : to represent in sections
intransitive verb
: to become cut or separated into parts