conclave

conclave is a Noun

Definition:

[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.