conclave

American  

[kon-kleyv, kong-] / ˈkɒn kleɪv, ˈkɒŋ- /

noun

1. a private or secret meeting.

2. an assembly or gathering, especially one that has special authority, power, or influence.

   a conclave of political leaders.

3. the assembly or meeting of the cardinals for the election of a pope.

4. the body of cardinals; the College of Cardinals.

5. the place in which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church meet in private for the election of a pope.

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conclave British  

/ ˈkɒŋ-, ˈkɒnkleɪv /

noun

1. a confidential or secret meeting

2. RC Church

   1. the closed apartments where the college of cardinals elects a new pope

   2. a meeting of the college of cardinals for this purpose

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Other Word Forms

• conclavist noun

Etymology

Origin of conclave

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin, Latin conclāve room, enclosed space, representing ( camera ) cum clāve (room) with key. See con-, clef

Example Sentences

Karp hadn’t been invited to the conclave where his fate was decided.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sitting in the press seats above the House of Commons chamber, I witnessed an intense conclave as a compromise was thrashed out in real time while the debate among MPs was going on.

From BBC

Bookmakers outside of the U.S. have long offered wagers on elections, sports and even papal conclaves.

From The Wall Street Journal

At its twice-a-decade leadership conclave last week, the party elevated foreign affairs to a "core" national function, alongside national defence and internal security.

From Barron's

“Corruption is a major obstacle and a stumbling block in the advancement of the party and the nation’s causes,” Xi said this week at a conclave of the party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• confab