section

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object

   a section of a fishing rod

2. 2
   noun

   a self-contained part of a larger composition

   They always turn first to the business section.

3. 3
   noun

   a segment of a citrus fruit

   I ate a section of the orange.

4. 4
   noun

   a small class of students who are part of a larger course but are taught separately

   a graduate student taught sections for the professor's lecture course

5. 5
   noun

   a distinct region or subdivision of a territorial or political area or community or group of people

   no section of the nation is more ardent than the South

6. 6
   noun

   a very thin slice (of tissue or mineral or other substance) for examination under a microscope

   sections from the left ventricle showed diseased tissue

7. 7
   noun

   A part, piece, subdivision of anything.

   Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. […] But the scandals kept coming, and so we entered stage three – what therapists call "bargaining". A broad section of the political class now recognises the need for change but remains unable to see the necessity of a fundamental overhaul. Instead it offers fixes and patches.

8. 8
   noun

   A cross-section (image that shows an object as if cut along a plane).

   Japan and China also produced Noah's arks, where Noah was known as Fohi. They were of wood and beautifully decorated, the animals being bright in color and usually flat in section and fixed to flat stands.

Etymology

From Middle English seccioun, from Old French section, from Latin sectiō (“cutting, cutting off, excision, amputation of diseased parts of the body, etc.”), from sectus, past participle of secāre (“to cut”). More at saw.