Sect"i*un`cle (?), n. A little or petty sect. [R.] "Some new sect or
sectiuncle." J. Martineau.
Sec"tor (?), n. [L., properly, a cutter, fr. secare, sectum, to cut:
cf. F. secteur. See Section.] 1. (Geom.) A part of a circle
comprehended between two radii and the included arc.
2. A mathematical instrument, consisting of two rulers connected at one
end by a joint, each arm marked with several scales, as of equal parts,
chords, sines, tangents, etc., one scale of each kind on each arm, and
all on lines radiating from the common center of motion. The sector is
used for plotting, etc., to any scale.
3. An astronomical instrument, the limb of which embraces a small
portion only of a circle, used for measuring differences of declination
too great for the compass of a micrometer. When it is used for
measuring zenith distances of stars, it is called a zenith sector.
Dip sector, an instrument used for measuring the dip of the horizon. --
Sector of a sphere, or Spherical sector, the solid generated by the
revolution of the sector of a circle about one of its radii, or, more
rarely, about any straight line drawn in the plane of the sector
through its vertex.
Sec"tor*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a sector; as, a sectoral circle.
Sec*to"ri*al (?), a. (Anat.) Adapted for cutting. -- n. A sectorial, or
carnassial, tooth.
Sec"u*lar (?), a. [OE. secular, seculer. L. saecularis, fr. saeculum a
race, generation, age, the times, the world; perhaps akin to E. soul:
cf. F. séculier.] 1. Coming or observed once in an age or a century.
The secular year was kept but once a century.
Addison.
2. Pertaining to an age, or the progress of ages, or to a long period
of time; accomplished in a long progress of time; as, secular
inequality; the secular refrigeration of the globe.
3. Of or pertaining to this present world, or to things not spiritual
or holy; relating to temporal as distinguished from eternal interests;
not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body;
worldly.
New foes arise, Threatening to bind our souls with secular chains.
Milton.
4. (Eccl.) Not regular; not bound by monastic vows or rules; not
confined to a monastery, or subject to the rules of a religious
community; as, a secular priest.
He tried to enforce a stricter discipline and greater regard for
morals, both in the religious orders and the secular clergy.
Prescott.