sectĭo, ōnis, f. [seco], a cutting, cutting off, cutting up.
I In gen. (so only post - Aug.): sectio et partitio corporis (humani), Gell. 20, 1, 39; so, corporum, Vitr. 2, 2: cyma a primā sectione praestat, Plin. 19, 8, 41, § 137.—
II In partic. *
A A cutting of diseased parts of the body: (mandragoras) bibitur ante sectiones punctionesque, ne sentiantur, Plin. 25, 13, 94, § 150.—
B A castration , Ap. Met. 7, 26, 17.—
C Publicists’ t. t., a dividing , parcelling out , or distribution by auction of captured or confiscated goods (the prevailing and class. signif.; syn.: auctio, licitatio): cujus praedae sectio non venierit, Cic. Inv. 1, 45, 85: sectionem ejus oppidi universam Caesar vendidit, * Caes. B. G. 2, 33; Cic. Fragm. ap. Gell. 13, 24, 6; id. Phil. 2, 26, 64; 2, 29, 71; Varr. R. R. 2, 10, 4; Tac. H. 1, 90; id. A. 13, 23; Suet. Vit. 2.—
D Hence, of the confiscation of property by tax-gatherers: sectiones publicanorum, Just. 38, 7, 8.—
E Geometrical t. t., division , section : ut de ratione dividendi, de sectione in infinitum, etc., Quint. 1, 10, 49.