cabal

Etymology

From French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew קבלה‎ (kabbala, “something received”) (i.e., from tradition, from antiquity). It is likely that the mystical, often secretive nature of Kabbalah led to formation of the word cabal.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kəˈbɑːl/, /kəˈbæl/

Noun

cabal (plural cabals)

1. A usually secret exclusive organization of individuals gathered for a political purpose.

   The cabal is plotting to ruin the world.

2. A secret plot.

   The cabal to destroy the building was foiled by federal agents.

3. An identifiable group within the tradition of Discordianism.
   • 1965 Greg Hill and Kerry Thornley, Principia Discordia

     Some episkoposes have a one-man cabal. Some work together. Some never do explain.

Verb

cabal (third-person singular simple present cabals, present participle caballing, simple past and past participle caballed)

1. To engage in the activities of a cabal.
   • 1704, Jonathan Swift, A Tale of a Tub (Penguin 2004, p. 11)

     We think it very unbecoming our prudence that the determination should be remitted to the authors themselves; when our adversaries, by briguing and caballing, have caused so universal a defection from us, that the greater part of our society has already deserted to them.

   • 1840, George Payne Rainsford James, The king's highway, volume 1, page 68-69:

     […] I believed her to have been carried off by some persons belonging to a party of Jacobites who were known to be caballing against the government, though to what extent was not then ascertained.

See also

• cabal glass

Pronunciation

• (Balearic, Central) IPA^(key): /kəˈbal/
• (Valencian) IPA^(key): /kaˈbal/

Adjective

cabal (masculine and feminine plural cabals)

1. complete, total
2. upright, well-rounded

Noun

cabal m (plural cabals)

1. possessions

Adjective

cabal m, f (plural cabais, comparable)

1. complete
2. rigorous
3. exact
4. satisfactory

Etymology

cabo +‎ -al

Adjective

cabal (plural cabales)

1. upright