From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sect \Sect\ (s[e^]kt), n. [L. secare, sectum, to cut.]
A cutting; a scion. [Obs.] --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Sect \Sect\ (s[e^]kt), n. [F. secte, L. secta, fr. sequi to
follow; often confused with L. secare, sectum, to cut. See
Sue to follow, and cf. Sept, Suit, n.]
Those following a particular leader or authority, or attached
to a certain opinion; a company or set having a common belief
or allegiance distinct from others; in religion, the
believers in a particular creed, or upholders of a particular
practice; especially, in modern times, a party dissenting
from an established church; a denomination; in philosophy,
the disciples of a particular master; a school; in society
and the state, an order, rank, class, or party.
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He beareth the sign of poverty,
And in that sect our Savior saved all mankind. --Piers
Plowman.
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As of the sect of which that he was born,
He kept his lay, to which that he was sworn. --Chaucer.
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The cursed sect of that detestable and false prophet
Mohammed. --Fabyan.
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As concerning this sect [Christians], we know that
everywhere it is spoken against. --Acts xxviii.
22.
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