From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Cult \Cult\ (k[u^]lt) n. [F. culte, L. cultus care, culture, fr.
colere to cultivate. Cf. Cultus.]
1. Attentive care; homage; worship.
[1913 Webster]
Every one is convinced of the reality of a better
self, and of the cult or homage which is due to it.
--Shaftesbury.
[1913 Webster]
2. A system of religious belief and worship.
[1913 Webster]
That which was the religion of Moses is the
ceremonial or cult of the religion of Christ.
--Coleridge.
[1913 Webster]
3. A system of intense religious veneration of a particular
person, idea, or object, especially one considered
spurious or irrational by traditional religious bodies;
as, the Moonie cult.
[PJC]
4. The group of individuals who adhere to a cult (senses 2 or
3).
[PJC]
5. A strong devotion or interest in a particular person, idea
or thing without religious associations, or the people
holding such an interest; as, the cult of James Dean; the
cult of personality in totalitarian societies.
[PJC]