Etymologically
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secta

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Forms

secta f (genitive sectae); first declension[1]

Etymology

The OLD takes it as the feminine of an obsolete participle of sequor “to follow”, as in the verb sector “to follow eagerly”.[2] Georges and Gaffiot also derive it from sequor.[3][4] Lewis & Short instead take it from the participle of secō “to cut”, with via understood, a beaten path, and Wiktionary also thinks it is probably from sectus “cut off”, a separate group.[5][1] Isidore of Seville derived it from following and holding a teaching.[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Naevius, in a fragment, says many people follow their line of conduct.[3] Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.[7]

Semantic evolution

In the phrase sectam sequī it was the line someone follows, almost always a course of action or conduct, as in Catullus.[2][3] It was a line in politics, a party, as Cicero's leaders of public policy and those who follow their line.[2][4] It was a philosophical school or teaching, as Cicero praises Brutus for following a school, and then any school or system, and a way of life or calling.[2]

Christian writers used it of a sect, a heresy or a schism.[8][7] In medieval law, from its sense of following, it was the duty to attend court, suit of court, and also suit of service, the hue and cry, a lawsuit, a retinue and a body of witnesses.[8] British writers used it of pagan, Jewish and Christian schools and of religious orders.[9] English sect is recorded in the mid-14th century.[10]

Timeline

  • c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses sectam sequī.[3][7]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a party and a school of philosophy.[2][7]
  • mid-14th century – English sect is recorded.[10]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A course of conduct; a way, method, principle.[2][5]
  2. A party, faction.[2][4]
  3. A school of philosophy, a doctrine.[2][1]
  4. A way of life, calling.[2]
  5. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A sect, heresy.[8]
  6. (Medieval Latin, law) Suit of court; a lawsuit; a retinue.[8]

Word family

  • sectārius

Usage notes

A rare neuter plural secta, from secō, meant wounds made by cutting, in Pliny the Elder.[2][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
  7. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  8. ^ a b c d Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  9. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  10. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com