I. -rē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: probably from New Latin sectarius, from Late Latin secta organized ecclesiastical body + Latin -arius -ary — more at sect
1.
a. : an adherent of a religious sect held to be heretical or schismatic
b. sometimes capitalized : a dissenter from the Church of England ; specifically : an Independent or other Protestant nonconformist
2. : a usually zealous adherent of a sect
religious or political sectaries
3.
a. : a zealous follower, disciple, or partisan (as of a leader, teacher, party, or school)
each old town … has its cult of sectaries, devotees of its history — Lucien Price
b. : a votary of a particular study or pursuit
been a sectary astronomical — Shakespeare
4. archaic : sect
II. adjective
archaic : sectarian