noun
conclave
KONK-layv
noun
1
A private, closed meeting, especially the assembly of cardinals that elects a new pope.
"The cardinals gathered in conclave to choose the next pope."
"The politicians held a secretive conclave to plan their strategy."
How to Use Conclave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA private, closed-door meeting, especially the one that elects a new pope.
Common pairings
papal conclave
hold a conclave
a secret conclave
Word Forms
conclaved past tense, conclaves plural, conclaves singular
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Etymology
From Latin conclāve, "a room that can be locked" — from con- ("together") and clāvis ("key").