conclave

[ kon-kleyv, kong- ]

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.

conclave

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈconclavist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conclave¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of conclave¹

C14: from Medieval Latin conclāve, from Latin: cage, place that may be locked, from clāvis key

Example Sentences

While Beijing was never mentioned directly in that conclave, its aggressive approach toward its neighbors, from the Himalayas to the South China Sea, is the glue that binds America’s friends in that region.

From Ozy

He quotes an unnamed cardinal saying that the conclave voters knew the charges were false.

From The Daily Beast

In secret conclave, the Embassy discussed its evacuation plans.

From The Daily Beast

The holy listicle serves as further proof that the 2013 papal conclave elected Oprah as the new pope.

From The Daily Beast

At the last conclave to select a new pope, the “Vaticanista” press corps touted him as one of the leading candidates.

From The Daily Beast

Days later, Bergoglio was elected pope by a conclave of cardinals.

From The Daily Beast

Their gestures and manner of argument did not bear out the joyful tidings brought to the conclave by the Shahzada.

From Project Gutenberg

The princess was in the family conclave which met to consider an amorous escapade of the Duchesse Antoinette de Langeais.

From Project Gutenberg

Laurence Corsini was elected pope by the conclave, after it had sat four months.

From Project Gutenberg

Gathered together at one of the principal houses in secret conclave were some of the chief Turks of the province.

From Project Gutenberg

A special conclave assembled and summoned our landlord, threatening all sorts of vengeance if he did not turn us out.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• confab