cabal
UK: kəˈbæl | US: kəˈbɑːl
n. a secret political clique or faction
n. a conspiratorial group plotting intrigue
n. (historically) the initials of five ministers under Charles II of England
cabal = cab<secret> + al<noun suffix>
- cab<secret>: Derived from Hebrew kabbalah (mystical tradition), later associated with secrecy.
- al<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns, often from Latin -alis.
Etymology Origin:
The word "cabal" entered English in the 17th century, influenced by the Hebrew kabbalah (esoteric knowledge). Its modern sense of "secret faction" was popularized by the "Cabal Ministry" (1670s), a group of five advisors to Charles II whose initials coincidentally spelled "CABAL" (Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, Lauderdale). This serendipitous acronym cemented the word’s association with covert politics.
The king’s decisions were swayed by a small cabal of advisors.
Rumors spread about a corporate cabal manipulating stock prices.
Historians debate whether the Cabal Ministry truly conspired or merely shared power.
The rebels formed a cabal to overthrow the regime.
Her novels often feature shadowy cabals pulling strings behind the scenes.