conclave

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a private, confidential, or secret meeting of a select group

   The senior ministers met in conclave before announcing the agreement.

2. 2
   noun

   the assembly of cardinals convened in seclusion to elect a pope, or the place where they meet

   White smoke signaled that the papal conclave had chosen a new pope.

From Middle English and French, from Latin conclave, 'a lockable room,' literally a place 'with a key' (con-, 'with,' + clavis, 'key'). Seclusion during papal elections produced the ecclesiastical sense; secrecy then broadened the word to other meetings.

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