secta Latin · revision 4252

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=derivation|attested=Naevius|origins=la sequor}}

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+ ==Forms==

+ '''secta''' ''f'' (genitive sectae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The OLD takes it as the feminine of an obsolete participle of [[sequor]] “to follow”, as in the verb [[sector]] “to follow eagerly”.^(OLD 2012) Georges and Gaffiot also derive it from ''sequor''.^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016) Lewis & Short instead take it from the participle of [[seco|alt=secō]] “to cut”, with [[via]] understood, a beaten path, and Wiktionary also thinks it is probably from [[sectus]] “cut off”, a separate group.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) Isidore of Seville derived it from following and holding a teaching.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Naevius, in a fragment, says many people follow their line of conduct.^(Georges 1913) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the phrase ''sectam sequī'' it was the line someone follows, almost always a course of action or conduct, as in Catullus.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) It was a line in politics, a party, as Cicero's leaders of public policy and those who follow their line.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) 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.^(OLD 2012)

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+ Christian writers used it of a sect, a heresy or a schism.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010) 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.^(Niermeyer 1976) British writers used it of pagan, Jewish and Christian schools and of religious orders.^(DMLBS) English ''sect'' is recorded in the mid-14th century.^(Etymonline)

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+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses ''sectam sequī''.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a party and a school of philosophy.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-14th century – English ''sect'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A course of conduct; a way, method, principle.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A party, faction.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # A school of philosophy, a doctrine.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A way of life, calling.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' A [[m|en|sect]], heresy.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin, law)'' Suit of court; a lawsuit; a retinue.^(Niermeyer 1976)

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+ ==Word family==

+ * [[sectārius]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sequor]]

+ * [[en|sect]]

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+ ==Usage notes==

+ A rare neuter plural ''secta'', from ''secō'', meant wounds made by cutting, in Pliny the Elder.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

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+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}