cabal
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cabal
conspiratorial group of plotters; a secret plot or scheme
Not to be confused with:
cable – a strong, heavy rope
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
ca·bal
(kə-bäl′, -băl′)n.
1. A conspiratorial group of plotters or intriguers: "Espionage is quite precisely it—a cabal of powerful men, working secretly" (Frank Conroy).
2. A secret scheme or plot.
intr.v. ca·balled, ca·bal·ling, ca·bals
To form a cabal; conspire.
[French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala; see kabbalah.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
cabal
(kəˈbæl)n
1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a small group of intriguers, esp one formed for political purposes
2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a secret plot, esp a political one; conspiracy; intrigue
3. a secret or exclusive set of people; clique
vb (intr) , -bals, -balling or -balled
(Government, Politics & Diplomacy) to form a cabal; conspire; plot
[C17: from French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala; see cabbala]
Cabal
(kəˈbæl)n
(Historical Terms) the Cabal English history a group of ministers of Charles II that governed from 1667–73: consisting of Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, and Lauderdale
[see kabbalah; by a coincidence, the initials of Charles II's ministers can be arranged to form this word]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ca•bal
(kəˈbæl)n., v. -balled, -bal•ling. n.
1. a small group of secret plotters, as against a government or authority.
2. the plots and schemes of such a group.
3. a clique, as in literary circles.
v.i. 4. to form a cabal.
[1610–20; < Medieval Latin cabbala]
syn: See conspiracy.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
Cabal
a small group engaged in a secret intrigue; a political clique. See also camarilla, conspiracy, faction, party.Examples: cabal of artists, 1859; of cardinals, 1715; of intriguers; of politicians. [Its origin was popularly related as an acronym referring to 1670, when the English Government ministers included C lifford, A shley, B uckingham, A rlington, and L auderdale.]
Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
cabal
Past participle: caballed
Gerund: caballing
| Imperative |
|---|
| cabal |
| cabal |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. | cabal - a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue clique, coterie, ingroup, inner circle, camp, pack - an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose cabalist - a member of a cabal |
| 2. | cabal - a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot) plot, secret plan, game - a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal); "they concocted a plot to discredit the governor"; "I saw through his little game from the start" Gunpowder Plot - a conspiracy in 1605 in England to blow up James I and the Houses of Parliament to avenge the persecution of Catholics in England; led by Guy Fawkes political science, politics, government - the study of government of states and other political units | |
| Verb | 1. | cabal - engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together; "They conspired to overthrow the government" coconspire - conspire together; "The two men coconspired to cover up the Federal investigation" plot - plan secretly, usually something illegal; "They plotted the overthrow of the government" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
cabal
noun
1. clique, set, party, league, camp, coalition, faction, caucus, junta, coterie, schism, confederacy, conclave He had been chosen by a cabal of fellow senators.
2. plot, scheme, intrigue, conspiracy, machination The left saw it as a bourgeois cabal.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
cabal
nounA secret plan to achieve an evil or illegal end:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
salaliitto
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
cabal
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995