sector English · revision 3999

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1570|origins=la secāre}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈsek.tə/, US /ˈsek.tɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|sector|t=section of a circle]], in classical Latin “a cutter, one who cuts”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from sectus, the past participle of [[m|la|secāre|t=to cut]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[ine-pro|*sek-|t=to cut]].^(Etymonline) It translated Greek tomeus in Latin editions of Archimedes.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[section]], [[sect]] and [[saw]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In geometry, part of a circle between two radii and an arc: 1570 in the OED, Barnhart and Merriam-Webster,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) the 1560s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sector, a mathematical instrument of two hinged graduated arms, is 16th-century, invented by Thomas Hood.^(Hoad 1986)^(Johnson 1755) Of any figure shaped like a sector it is by 1715.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A part of a military front, perhaps based on a circle centred on a headquarters, is from 1916 (World War I),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and the general “area, division” by 1920.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) A branch of an economy, as the ''public sector'', is by 1937.^(Etymonline) The verb, “to divide into sectors”, is from 1884.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1570 – part of a circle.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1715 – any sector-shaped thing.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1884 – verb.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1916 – part of a military front.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1920 – an area, a division.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1937 – a branch of an economy.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The part of a circle bounded by two radii and the arc between them.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A measuring instrument of two graduated arms hinged at one end.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A division of a military position or front.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A distinct part of an [[economy]] or society: ''the private sector''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To divide into sectors.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[sectorial]]

+ * [[sectoral]]

+ * [[subsector]]

+ * [[private sector]]

+ * [[public sector]]

+ * [[third sector]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sect]]

+ * [[section]]

+ * [[segment]]

+ * [[saw]]

+ * [[insect]]

+ * [[bisect]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}