Cabal
Cabal (kȧ*bal") , noun
[French cabale cabal, cabala, Late Latin cabala cabala, from Hebrew qabbālēh reception, tradition, mysterious doctrine, from qābal to take or receive, in Piel qibbel to adopt (a doctrine).]
1.
2.
A secret. [Obsolete]
The measuring of the temple, a cabal found out but lately.
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.
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.
Cabal (-bald") , intransitive verb
[Compare French 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.