US /kəˈbæl/ UK /kəˈbal/
noun

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    a secret group plotting against a government or authority

    A cabal of generals conspired to seize the capital.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · a secret group plotting... cliquefactionjuntaconspiracycoterieplotringintrigue
Word family
Derived forms cabalistcabalistic
Related forms kabbalah

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.

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