to be in conclave

1 definition found

to be in conclave - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Conclave \Con"clave\ (? or ?; 277), n. [F., fr. L. conclave a
     room that may locked up; con- + clavis key. See Clavicle.]
     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.
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              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.
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              The verdicts pronounced by this conclave (Johnson's
              Club) on new books, were speedily known over all
              London.                               --Macaulay.
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     To be in conclave, to be engaged in a secret meeting; --
        said of several, or a considerable number of, persons.
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