01 n. The set of apartments within which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are continuously secluded while engaged in choosing a pope.
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1.
The set of apartments within which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are continuously secluded while engaged in choosing a pope.
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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.
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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.
Phrases & compounds
To be in conclave —
to be engaged in a secret meeting; -- said of several, or a considerable number of, persons.