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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Cabal \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.
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2. A secret. [Obs.] "The measuring of the temple, a cabal
found out but lately." --B. Jonson.
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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.
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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.
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4. The secret artifices or machinations of a few persons
united in a close design; intrigue.
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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.
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Cabal \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.
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Caballing still against it with the great. --Dryden.
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