Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary

I.inf. sectarier, Plaut. Mil. 2, 1, 13; id. Rud. 1, 2, 57; Hor. S. 1, 2, 78), v. dep. freq. a. [sequor], to follow continually or eagerly, in a good or bad sense; to run after, attend, accompany; to follow after, chase, pursue (freq. and class.).

I. Lit.

A. In gen.: “equidem te jam sector quintum hunc annum,” Plaut. Pers. 2, 1, 5: “servum misi, qui sectari solet meum gnatum,” id. Ep. 3, 4, 50: Chrysogonum (servi), Cic. Rosc. Am. 28, 77: “praetorem circum omnia fora,” Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 70, § 169: “si mercede conducti obviam candidatis issent, si conducti sectarentur,” id. Mur. 32, 67: “at sectabuntur multi,” id. ib. 33, 70: “neque te quisquam stipator Praeter Crispinum sectabitur,” Hor. S. 1, 3, 139: “equitum manus quae regem ex more sectatur,” Tac. A. 15, 2; 15, 33 fin.; Gell. 20, 6, 1 et saep.: “mulieres sectarier,” to run after, Plaut. Mil. 2, 1, 13; 3, 1, 183; cf.: “desine matronas sectarier,” Hor. S. 1, 2, 78: “ipse suas sectatur oves, at filius agnos,” accompanies, guards, Tib. 1, 10, 41: “aratrum,” to follow the plough, id. 2, 3, 7: canes, to follow the hounds (that hunt on before), Prop. 3, 14 (4, 13), 14: “aliquem,” to run after, pursue, Plaut. Cist. 2, 2, 1: servum, Cato ap. Gell. 17, 6, 3: “homo ridicule insanus, qui ejusmodi est, ut eum pueri sectentur,” Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 66, § 148: “ne scuticā dignum horribili sectere flagello,” Hor. S. 1, 3, 119: “exagitet nostros Manes sectetur et umbras, etc.,” Prop. 2, 8, 19 (2, 8 b, 19).— To visit a place gladly, to frequent: “gymnasia,” Plin. Ep. 1, 22, 6.—Absol.: “homo coepit me obsecrare, Ut sibi liceret discere id de me: sectari jussi (alluding to the train of followers who accompanied the ancient philosophers),” Ter. Eun. 2, 2, 31; id. Phorm. 1, 2, 36: at sectabantur multi ... Quid opus est sectatoribus? (of the train of a candidate) Cic. Mur. 34, 71.—

B. In partic., to pursue, chase, hunt animals: sues silvaticos in montibus, Varr. ap. Non. 555, 31: “sectaris apros,” Verg. E. 3, 75: “gallinam,” Plaut. Mil. 2, 2, 7: “simiam,” id. ib. 2, 2, 24; 2, 2, 106; 2, 3, 13 sq.; “2, 6, 25: leporem,” Hor. S. 1, 2, 106; 2, 2, 9 et saep.: “cervam videre fugere, sectari canes,” Ter. Phorm. prol. 7.—

II. Trop., to follow or strive after; to pursue eagerly (not freq. till after the Aug. per.; not in Cic.): quid vos hanc miseram ac tenuem sectamini praedam? * Caes. B. G. 6, 35; so, “praedam,” Tac. A. 1, 65: “facinora,” Plaut. Mil. 3, 1, 28: “lites,” Ter. Phorm. 2, 3, 61: “nomina tironum,” Hor. S. 1, 2, 16: “sectantem levia nervi Deficiunt,” id. A. P. 26: “gymnasia aut porticus,” Plin. Ep. 1, 22, 6: “omnes dicendi Veneres,” Quint. 10, 1, 79; cf.: “quas figuras,” id. 9, 3, 100: “voluptatem,” id. 10, 1, 28: “eminentes virtutes,” to seek out, Tac. A. 1, 80: “contumaciam sententiarum, habitum vultumque ejus,” to seek to imitate, id. ib. 16, 22: “praecepta salubria,” Suet. Aug. 89: “commoda,” id. ib. 25: “luxuriosa convivia,” Just. 11, 10, 2: “in alienis eripiendis vitam sectari,” id. 27, 2, 8. —

(β). With a rel. or subj.-clause, to hunt or track out, busy one's self: “mitte sectari, rosa quo locorum Sera moretur,” Hor. C. 1, 38, 3: “non ut omnia dicerem sectatus, sed ut maxime necessaria,” Quint. 1, 10, 1.?*! In a pass. signif.: “qui vellet se a cane sectari,” Varr. R. R. 2, 9, 6.