cabal Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
junto; camarilla; faction.
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noun a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)
conspiracy.
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verb engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together
complot; machinate; conspire; conjure.
- They conspired to overthrow the government
WordNet
Ca*bal" noun
Etymology
F.Definitions
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Tradition; occult doctrine. See Obs. Hakewill.Cabala -
A secret. Obs. "The measuring of the temple, a cabal found out but lately." B. Jonson. -
A number of persons united in some close design, usually to promote their private views and interests in church or state by intrigue; a secret association composed of a few designing persons; a junto. It so happend, by a whimsical coincidence, that in 1671 the cabinet consisted of five persons, the initial letters of whose names made up the word cabal; Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, and Lauderdale. Macaulay. -
The secret artifices or machinations of a few persons united in a close design; in intrigue. By cursed cabals of women. Dryden.
Crabb.
Ca*bal" intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F.Wordforms
Definitions
To unite in a small party to promote private views and interests by intrigue; to intrigue; to plot. Caballing still against it with the great. Dryden.