sect

A group of people forming a distinct unit within a larger group by virtue of certain refinements or distinctions of belief or practice.

A religious body, especially one that has separated from a larger denomination.

A faction united by common interests or beliefs.

A part cut off; a cutting; scion.

[lowercase or cap.] An abbreviation of section.

In geometry: A part cut out on a straight line; a limited straight line or rod; the part or piece of a straight line between two definite points (end-points of the sect); a portion of a given straight line, of definite length.

A piece of a range bounded by two points.

Two points, A and B, upon a straight adjective

In mathematics, of sects; operating with sects.

A system or body of doctrines or opinions held by a number of persons and constituting the distinctive doctrines of a school, as propounded originally by the founder or founders of the school and (usually) developed or modified by later adherents; also and usually, the body of persons holding such doctrines or opinions; a school of philosophy or of philosophers: as, the sect of Epicurus; the sect of the Epicureans.