sect
sect Lexical Profile
sect Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A religious group or subgroup that has branched off from a larger, established religious body and adheres to a distinct set of doctrines or practices.
"Historians studied how the medieval sect broke away from the mainstream church over disputes regarding scripture."
A philosophical, political, or ideological faction united by a specific doctrine or leader, often regarded as exclusive or dissenting from prevailing views.
"A radical sect within the philosophical movement rejected the founder's later writings."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday use, 'sect' often carries a slightly negative connotation of being unorthodox or insular compared to the more neutral term 'denomination', though in sociology of religion it neutrally denotes a group that has broken away from an established tradition.
• Rhymes for sect
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English, from Old French secte or Latin secta ('a following, way of life, or school of thought'), derived from the verb sequi ('to follow'), though historically influenced by confusion with secare ('to cut or divide').