cabal
[ kuh-bal ]
/ kəˈbæl /
noun
a small group of secret plotters, as against a government or person in authority.
the plots and schemes of such a group; intrigue.
a clique, as in artistic, literary, or theatrical circles.
verb (used without object), ca·balled, ca·bal·ling.
to form a cabal; intrigue; conspire; plot.
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Origin of cabal
First recorded in 1610–20, for an earlier sense; earlier cabbal, from Medieval Latin cabbala; see kabbalah
synonym study for cabal
2. See conspiracy.
OTHER WORDS FROM cabal
ca·bal·ler, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for cabal
British Dictionary definitions for cabal (1 of 2)
cabal
/ (kəˈbæl) /
noun
a small group of intriguers, esp one formed for political purposes
a secret plot, esp a political one; conspiracy; intrigue
a secret or exclusive set of people; clique
verb -bals, -balling or -balled (intr)
to form a cabal; conspire; plot
Word Origin for cabal
C17: from French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala; see cabbala
British Dictionary definitions for cabal (2 of 2)
Cabal
/ (kəˈbæl) /
noun
the Cabal English history a group of ministers of Charles II that governed from 1667–73: consisting of Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, and Lauderdale
Word Origin for Cabal
see kabbalah; by a coincidence, the initials of Charles II's ministers can be arranged to form this word
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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