n.1 a a body of people subscribing to religious doctrines usu. different from those of an established Church from which they have separated. b usu. derog. a nonconformist or other Church. c a party or faction in a religious body. d a religious denomination.
2 the followers of a particular philosopher or philosophy, or school of thought in politics etc.
Etymology: ME f. OF secte or L secta f. the stem of sequi secut- follow