What does "sect" mean?

1. (religious subgroup) a religious group that has separated from a larger, more established religion. 2. (ideological group) a group of people who follow a specific leader or a particular set of strong ideas. 3. (astrological polarity) an old way of grouping planets into day or night categories in astrology.

How do you use "sect"?

Often carries a slightly negative or suspicious connotation in secular contexts.

sect

US //ˈsɛkt// UK //sˈɛkt// sect

1 religious subgroup (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

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.

Example

The small religious sect built its own temple far away from the city.

Example

Historians have long debated the influence of various ascetic sects on the development of early monastic traditions in the region.

Usage

Often carries a slightly negative or suspicious connotation in secular contexts.
- denomination
- faction
- splinter group
2 ideological group (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

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.

Example

A small sect of economists argued that the new tax would actually help the poor.

Example

The party was eventually weakened by internal fighting between rival political sects, each claiming to represent the true spirit of the revolution.

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3 astrological polarity (n.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical

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.

Example

Ancient books on the stars often mention the sect of a planet.

Example

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.

Origin

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.