n.[C]

1. 派别；党派；（党的）宗派；学派
   They belonged to different philosophical sects.

   他们是不同哲学学派的成员。

2. 【宗】分裂出来的教派（尤指异端）；宗派
   Each religious sect in the town had its own church.

   该城每一个宗教教派都有自己的教堂。

n.

1. a religious group or faction regarded as heretical or as deviating from orthodox tradition.
   ▸often derogatory a group that has separated from an established Church; a nonconformist Church.
2. a group with extreme or dangerous philosophical or political ideas.