n. & v.
--n.
1. a part cut off or separated from something.
2 each of the parts into which a thing is divided (actually or conceptually) or divisible or out of which a structure can be fitted together.
3 a distinct group or subdivision of a larger body of people (the wind section of an orchestra).
4 a subdivision of a book, document, statute, etc.
5 US a an area of land. b one square mile of land. c a particular district of a town (residential section).
6 a subdivision of an army platoon.
7 esp. Surgery a separation by cutting.
8 Biol. a thin slice of tissue etc., cut off for microscopic examination.
9 a the cutting of a solid by or along a plane. b the resulting figure or the area of this.
10 a representation of the internal structure of something as if cut across along a vertical or horizontal plane.
11 Biol. a group, esp. a subgenus.
--v.tr.
1. arrange in or divide into sections.
2 Brit. cause (a person) to be compulsorily committed to a psychiatric hospital in accordance with a section of a mental health act.
3 Biol. cut into thin slices for microscopic examination.
Phrases and idioms:
section-mark the sign (
Usage:
) used as a reference mark to indicate the start of a section of a book etc.
Etymology: F section or L sectio f. secare sect- cut