Cabal word meaning and definition

[noun] a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)
[noun] a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue
[verb] engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together; "They conspired to overthrow the government"

\Ca*bal"\ (k[.a]*b[a^]l"), n. [F. cabale cabal, cabala, LL. cabala cabala, fr. Heb. qabb[=a]l[=e]h reception, tradition, mysterious doctrine, fr. q[=a]bal to take or receive, in Pi["e]l qibbel to adopt (a doctrine).] 1. Tradition; occult doctrine. See {Cabala} [Obs.] --Hakewill. 2. A secret. [Obs.] ``The measuring of the temple, a cabal found out but lately.'' --B. Jonson. 3. A number of persons united in some close design, usually to promote their private views and interests in church or state by intrigue; a secret association composed of a few designing persons; a junto. Note: It so happend, by a whimsical coincidence, that in 1671 the cabinet consisted of five persons, the initial letters of whose names made up the word cabal; Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, and Lauderdale. --Macaulay. 4. The secret artifices or machinations of a few persons united in a close design; intrigue. By cursed cabals of women. --Dryden. Syn: Junto; intrigue; plot; combination; conspiracy. Usage: {Cabal}, {Combination}, {Faction}. An association for some purpose considered to be bad is the idea common to these terms. A combination is an organized union of individuals for mutual support, in urging their demands or resisting the claims of others, and may be good or bad according to circumstances; as, a combiniation of workmen or of employers to effect or to prevent a change in prices. A cabal is a secret association of a few individuals who seek by cunning practices to obtain office and power. A faction is a larger body than a cabal, employed for selfish purposes in agitating the community and working up an excitement with a view to change the existing order of things. ``Selfishness, insubordination, and laxity of morals give rise to combinations, which belong particularly to the lower orders of society. Restless, jealous, ambitious, and little minds are ever forming cabals. Factions belong especially to free governments, and are raised by busy and turbulent spirits for selfish purposes''. --Crabb.
\Ca*bal"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Caballed} (-b[a^]ld"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Caballing}]. [Cf. F. cabaler.] To unite in a small party to promote private views and interests by intrigue; to intrigue; to plot. Caballing still against it with the great. --Dryden.

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