sectary

American  

[sek-tuh-ree] / ˈsɛk tə ri /

noun

plural

sectaries

1. a member of a particular sect, especially an adherent of a religious body regarded as heretical or schismatic.

2. a Protestant of nonconformist denomination, especially a minor one.

3. a person zealously devoted to a particular sect.

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sectary British  

/ ˈsɛktərɪ /

noun

1. a member of a sect, esp a person who belongs to a religious sect that is regarded as heretical or schismatic

2. a person excessively devoted to a particular sect

3. a member of a Nonconformist denomination, esp one that is small

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Etymology

Origin of sectary

1550–60; < Medieval Latin sectārius, equivalent to sect ( a ) sect + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

The latter was commissioned by the home sectary and Sir Ken.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

An ex-senior adviser recalled being sent a document about a reform agenda and a permanent sectary ordering them to "just bin it immediately".

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2023

As truth was the sole object of his researches, he was, of course, no sectary: and as reason was his guide, he embraced no system which that did not authorize.

From Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 1 of 2] With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and Philosophical by Franklin, Benjamin

In the absence of overt acts, it was difficult to reach the secret thoughts of the sectary.

From The Inquisition A Critical and Historical Study of the Coercive Power of the Church by Conway, Bertrand L. (Bertrand Louis)

But the sectary is not content with making the All-god one with Vishnu.

From The Religions of India Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume 1, Edited by Morris Jastrow by Hopkins, Edward Washburn