Sects is a plural noun referring to distinct religious or ideological groups that separate from a larger tradition. It can also denote a faction within a larger organization. The term emphasizes organized group identity, sometimes with unique beliefs, practices, or leadership structures, and is commonly used in sociological or news contexts.
"The city council debated how to regulate sects that operate in private schools."
"Historically, several sects emerged during the reform movements of the 16th century."
"Scholars compare different sects to understand how beliefs diverged from a central doctrine."
"Police investigated reports of recruitment into extremist sects in the region."
Sects comes from the Latin secta, meaning a cut, division, or school of thought, from secare 'to cut'. The Latin term was used to describe a division within a larger religious or philosophical tradition. In English, sect first appeared in the 14th century with sense related to a religious denomination or faction, evolving to include any organized group sharing distinctive beliefs. The word progressed through Middle English usage via Old French secte, borrowed from Latin, where secta also carried connotations of following or a faction. Over time, sect broadened to sociological contexts beyond religion, describing any organized subgroup within larger institutions, including political, philosophical, or social movements. Its usage intensified in scholarly and media discourse, particularly in discussions of religious pluralism, sectarian conflict, and group dynamics. The term carries both descriptive and evaluative connotations, depending on context, from neutral reference to sometimes pejorative framing of a minority group within a society. First known use in English literature traces to religious contexts in the late medieval period, evolving with modern academic sociology to express boundaries between belief systems. Contemporary usage often highlights doctrinal divergence and organizational structure as defining characteristics of sects.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Sects" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Sects"
-cts sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Say the word as two sounds: /sɛkts/. The initial /s/ flows into a short /ɛ/ as in 'set,' then the final /kts/ cluster is produced by releasing a /k/ and immediately voicing a /ts/ as in 'cats' without a vowel between. The stress is on the first and only syllable. Tip: keep the tongue tip lightly touching the alveolar ridge for the /t/ and release quickly into the /s/ sound to avoid an extra vowel.
Common errors include turning /kts/ into a simple /k/ or /t/ (saying 'sect' or 'secte' with a vowel after t), or inserting an intermediary vowel like 'se-ects.' To correct, practice the consonant cluster /k/ immediately followed by /ts/ with no vowel in between. Ensure the tongue snaps from the velar stop to the voiceless alveolar sibilant and finish with a crisp /s/.
Across US, UK, and AU, the core /sɛkts/ remains, but you may hear subtle rhotic or vowel quality shifts. In many US varieties, /ɛ/ is a lax, mid-front vowel; in UK (Received Pronunciation) it may be slightly tenser, with crisper final /ts/. Australian English tends to be flatter with less vowel height difference; ensure the final /ts/ is unvoiced and clipped, not merged into a single /t/ or /s/.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /kts/ at the end, which some learners shift to /kt/ or delay voicing, causing an extra vowel or a similar-sounding 'sects' vs 'sex' confusion. Coordinate the velar stop release with the following alveolar sibilant quickly so the /t/ and /s/ blend cleanly. Additionally, correct aspiration on /k/ and voicing on /s/ helps clarity.
A unique feature is maintaining a clean alveolar /t/ before the /s/ cluster, avoiding a palatalized or rolled sound. Some speakers produce a light, almost teeth-tapping /t/ before the /s/ rather than a hard click. Focus on a rapid, unvoiced /t/ release into the /s/ for crisp final sibilance.
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