15 October 2013

cabal

[kuh-bal]

noun, verb, ca·balled, ca·bal·ling.

noun
1. a small group of secret plotters, as against a government or person in authority.
2. the plots and schemes of such a group; intrigue.
3. a clique, as in artistic, literary, or theatrical circles.
verb (used without object)
4. to form a cabal; intrigue; conspire; plot.

Origin:
1610–20, for an earlier sense; earlier cabbal < Medieval Latin cabbala. See cabala

Related forms
ca·bal·ler, noun

Can be confused: cabal, cabala.

Synonyms
1. junta, faction, band, league, ring. 2. See conspiracy.

Today’s aphorism

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

– Winston Churchill

On this day

15 October 1917 – death of Mata Hari, (born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle), Dutch dancer, courtesan and spy. She was charged with espionage and executed by firing squad in France, after being accused of spying for Germany during World War I.