| 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 >
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