CABALS
Proper noun
Cabals
plural of Cabal
Noun
cabals
plural of cabal
Verb
cabals
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of cabal
Source: Wiktionary
CABAL
Ca*bal", n. Etym: [F. cabale cabal, cabala LL. cabala cabala, fr.
Heb. qabbaleh reception, tradition, mysterious doctrine, fr. qabal to
take or receive, in Piël qibbel to abopt (a doctrine).]
1. Tradition; occult doctrine. See Cabala [Obs.] Hakewill.
2. A secret. [Obs.] "The measuring of the temple, a cabal found out
but lately." B. Jonson.
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.
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.
4. The secret artifices or machinations of a few persons united in a
close design; in intrigue.
By cursed cabals of women. Dryden.
Syn. - Junto; intrigue; plot; combination; conspiracy.
– 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 chang 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 porposes".
Crabb.
Ca*bal", v. i. [int. & p. p. Caballed; p. pr. & vb. n. Caballing].
Etym: [Cf. F. cabaler.]
Definition: To unite in a small party to promote private views and
interests by intrigue; to intrigue; to plot.
Caballing still against it with the great. Dryden.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition