The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Sect \Sect\ (s[e^]kt), n. [L. secare, sectum, to cut.]
   A cutting; a scion. [Obs.] --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Sect \Sect\ (s[e^]kt), n. [F. secte, L. secta, fr. sequi to
   follow; often confused with L. secare, sectum, to cut. See
   Sue to follow, and cf. Sept, Suit, n.]
   Those following a particular leader or authority, or attached
   to a certain opinion; a company or set having a common belief
   or allegiance distinct from others; in religion, the
   believers in a particular creed, or upholders of a particular
   practice; especially, in modern times, a party dissenting
   from an established church; a denomination; in philosophy,
   the disciples of a particular master; a school; in society
   and the state, an order, rank, class, or party.
   [1913 Webster]

         He beareth the sign of poverty,
         And in that sect our Savior saved all mankind. --Piers
                                                  Plowman.
   [1913 Webster]

         As of the sect of which that he was born,
         He kept his lay, to which that he was sworn. --Chaucer.
   [1913 Webster]

         The cursed sect of that detestable and false prophet
         Mohammed.                                --Fabyan.
   [1913 Webster]

         As concerning this sect [Christians], we know that
         everywhere it is spoken against.         --Acts xxviii.
                                                  22.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

sect
    n 1: a subdivision of a larger religious group [syn: sect,
         religious sect, religious order]
    2: a dissenting clique [syn: faction, sect]