The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word SECT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
E
C
T
More clues leading to the result SECT
- Breakaway group declined to let Conservative in
- Group of outsiders in strange cult
- Splinter group’s way to take in City
- Religious group with 100 in clique
- Beetle, for example, not in special group
- Standard breached by Catholic faction
- Party William’s cutting
- Caught in strict religious order
- Cryptic concerning Shed faction
- Second time for religious group
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Breakaway group" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case breakaway group = sect.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SECT mean?
SECT noun- An offshoot of a larger religion; a group sharing particular (often unorthodox) political and/or religious beliefs.
- A group following a specific ideal or a leader.
- A cutting; a scion.