## Etymology
From French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala, from Hebrew qabbalah ('received tradition, esoteric doctrine'), from qibbel ('to receive'). The 'secret faction' sense developed from the notion of hidden esoteric knowledge.

## AI Etymology
Cabal is a noun meaning "a secret group plotting against a government or authority". Historically, it is from French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala, from Hebrew qabbalah ('received tradition, esoteric doctrine'), from qibbel ('to receive'). The 'secret faction' sense developed from the notion of hidden esoteric knowledge. The semantic history matters here: the earlier use is the starting point, and the modern sense, "a secret group plotting against a government or authority", is the later or specialized English value. The historical chain links French cabale with Hebrew qabbalah. Close English family members include cabalist, cabalistic, and kabbalah.

## Topics
- Law & Government
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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