Sĕct, n.

n. [Fr. secte, It. setta, Pg. secta, setta, Pr., Sp., & Lat. secta, from Lat. secare, sectum, to cut off, to separate.]

1. A part cut off; a cutting; a cion. [Rare.] Shak.
2. Hence, a body of persons who have separated from others in virtue of some special doctrine, or set of doctrines, which they hold in common; a school or denomination; especially, a religious denomination.

The effective strength of sects is not to be ascertained merely by counting heads. Macaulay.

3. Hence, specifically, a denomination which dissents from an established church.
4. Sex. [Rare and improper.] Beau. & Fl.