sectator

sectātor, ōris, m. [id.], a follower, attendant, adherent; in the plur., a train, retinue, suite (syn. assectator).

I.

In gen. (rare but class.): at sectabantur multi. Quid opus est sectatoribus? (of the train accompanying a candidate) Cic. Mur. 34, 71 (shortly afterwards, assectatio and assectari); cf.:

lex Fabia, quae est de numero sectatorum,

id. ib. 34, 71: num Gabinii comes [p. 1654] vel sectator? id. Rab. Post. 8, 21:

puerorum rixantium,

Sen. Brev. Vit. 12, 2; cf.:

sectator domi, comes in publico,

Tac. A. 4, 68:

habet (Thrasea) sectatores vel potius satellites,

id. ib. 16, 22:

multis sectatorum dilapsis,

id. ib. 5, 10 fin.:

sectator quaestoris,

id. ib. 11, 21.—

II.

In partic.

1.

A follower, adherent of a leader or sect (only post-Aug.):

hic non tam discipulos quam sectatores aliquot habuit,

Suet. Gram. 24; cf. Tac. Or. 34:

cohors sectatorum Aristotelis,

Gell. 13, 5, 2:

eloquentiae aut philosophiae sectatores,

id. 19, 5, 1; cf. id. 2, 2, 2. —

2.

One who practises, a follower (late Lat.):

bonorum operum,

Vulg. Tit. 2, 14.