conclave Meaning, Definition & Usage

Con"clave noun

Etymology

F., fr. L. conclave a room that may locked up; con- + clavis key. See Clavicle.

Definitions

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.