sect
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a religious group that has separated from a larger, more established religion.
a religious body that has separated from a larger denomination, often viewed as extreme or exclusive by the parent organization.
Simple“The small religious sect built its own temple far away from the city.”
In context“Historians have long debated the influence of various ascetic sects on the development of early monastic traditions in the region.”
UsageOften carries a slightly negative or suspicious connotation in secular contexts.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
a group of people who follow a specific leader or a particular set of strong ideas.
a group following a specific philosophical or political doctrine, typically one that is distinct from mainstream thought.
Simple“A small sect of economists argued that the new tax would actually help the poor.”
In context“The party was eventually weakened by internal fighting between rival political sects, each claiming to represent the true spirit of the revolution.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
an old way of grouping planets into day or night categories in astrology.
An ancient astrological concept used to classify celestial bodies as either diurnal or nocturnal based on their relationship to the horizon.
Simple“Ancient books on the stars often mention the sect of a planet.”
In context“In Hellenistic astrology, the concept of sect was fundamental to determining whether a specific planet would act as a functional benefic or malefic in a chart.”
From Middle English secte, from Old French secte (“a sect in philosophy or religion”), from Late Latin secta (“a sect in philosophy or religion, a school, party, faction, class, guild, band, particularly a heretical doctrine or sect, etc.”), possibly, from Latin sequi (“to follow”). Alternatively linked to sectus (“cut off, divided”), past participle of secō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.