Ca-băl'1, n.
n. [Fr. cabale, cabala, q. v., a cabal, from Heb. gabbâlâh, reception, tradition, mysterious doctrine, from gâbal, to take or receive, in Piël. gibbêl, to adopt (a doctrine).]
Sense 1. A number of persons united in some close design, usually to promote their private views in church or state by intrigue; a junto.
It so happened, 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.
Sense 2. The secret artifices of a few persons united in a close design; intrigue. “By cursed cabals of women.” Dryden.
Synonyms—Junto; intrigue; plot; combination; conspiracy.—CABAL, COMBINATION, FACTION. An association for some bad purpose 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; as, a combination of workmen to procure higher 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.