释义 |
con·clave \ˈkänˌklāv, esp Brit sometimes -äŋˌ-\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, room or apartment that can be locked up, from com- + clavis key — more at clavicle 1. obsolete : a private chamber : closet 2. a. : a private meeting : a closed or secret assembly; especially : a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously in a set of apartments while engaged in choosing a pope b. : a meeting especially of a group with shared or specialized interests (as a fraternal society) : conference, convention, gathering 3. a. : the body of cardinals especially when considered in respect to their electoral function b. : any authoritative group exercising wide discretionary powers < secret party conclaves that pick the candidates behind the scenes > |