cabal

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a secret group plotting against a government or authority

   A cabal of generals conspired to seize the capital.

Simplified etymology

Cabal entered English in the early 16th century through French cabale, initially in reference to the Cabbala, the Jewish tradition of mystical biblical interpretation. It ultimately comes from medieval Latin cabala, based on a rabbinical Hebrew word meaning “tradition.” The word later denoted a secret meeting or plot and was historically applied to five ministers of Charles II whose surnames began with C, A, B, A, and L.

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.

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