| Albigenses |
the members of a Christian sect that flourished in southern France from the eleventh to the thirteenth century, when it was exterminated for heresy. |
| Amish |
a Christian sect that separated from the Mennonites in the seventeenth century, the members of which advocate simple living and now live mostly in farming areas of the northeastern United States. [2/3 definitions] |
| Baptist |
a member of a Christian sect that believes in baptism of adults by immersion, following a profession of faith. [1/2 definitions] |
| church |
the congregation or membership of a religious denomination or sect. [2/6 definitions] |
| consistory |
an assembly of a governing council, esp. of a church or religious sect. [1/2 definitions] |
| conventicle |
a secret religious meeting, esp. of dissenters or members of a nonconformist sect. [1/2 definitions] |
| denomination |
a religious group or sect composed of a number of congregations. [1/4 definitions] |
| dogma |
a system of principles or doctrines, esp. those of a religious sect, or a single doctrine prescribed by some authority, such as the church. [1/2 definitions] |
| Essene |
a member of an ascetic Jewish sect of mystics that existed from the second century B.C. to the second century A.D. |
| Hare Krishna |
a religious sect, founded in 1966 in the United States, whose followers worship Krishna and honor certain scriptures of the Veda. [2 definitions] |
| Hasid |
a member of a Jewish sect, founded in Poland in the eighteenth century, that emphasizes strict adherence to ritual and joyful worship of God. |
| illuminati |
(cap.) a group, association, or society of such people, esp. a religious sect. [1/2 definitions] |
| Jehovah's Witnesses |
a Christian sect that opposes war and governments, believes in the imminent end of the world, and actively seeks new converts. |
| Mennonite |
any member of an evangelical Protestant Christian sect founded in the Netherlands in the sixteenth century, characterized by simple living and by opposition to military service and to holding public office. [1/2 definitions] |
| Parsi |
a member of a Zoroastrian sect in modern India that is descended from Persian Zoroastrians who fled Persia in the seventh and eighth centuries to escape religious persecution. [2 definitions] |
| pharisee |
(cap.) a member of an ancient Jewish sect that adhered strictly to oral and written religious law and believed in the appearance of a Messiah. [1/2 definitions] |
| rebbe |
a Jewish spiritual leader, esp. of a Hasidic sect. |
| renegade |
a member who rejects the common beliefs or attitudes of a group such as a religious sect, political party, or business organization. [1/3 definitions] |
| Sadducee |
a member of an ancient Palestinian sect that formed political alliances with the Roman rulers, interpreted scripture literally, and rejected oral law and the belief in a Messiah. |
| sectarian |
of, concerning, or typical of a sect, sects, or members of sects. [2/4 definitions] |
| sectary |
a member of a sect, esp. a dissenting sect. [1/2 definitions] |