CONCLAVE
conclave
(noun) a confidential or secret meeting
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
conclave (plural conclaves)
The set of apartments within which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are continuously secluded while engaged in choosing a pope.
The group of Roman Catholic cardinals locked in a conclave until they elect a new pope; the body of cardinals.
A private meeting; a close or secret assembly.
Source: Wiktionary
Con"clave ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [F., fr. L. conclave a room that may
locked up; con- + clavis key. See Clavicle.]
1. The set of apartments within which the cardinals of the Roman
Catholic Church are continuously secluded while engaged in choosing a
pope.
2. The body of cardinals shut up in the conclave for the election of
a pope; hence, the body of cardinals.
It was said a cardinal, by reason of his apparent likelihood to step
into St. Peter's chair, that in two conclaves he went in pope and
came out again cardinal. South.
3. A private meeting; a close or secret assembly.
The verdicts pronounced by this conclave (Johnson's Club) on new
books, were speedily known over all London. Macaulay.
To be in conclave, to be engaged in a secret meeting; -- said of
several, or a considerable number of, persons.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition