1. [n]  a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)
2. [n]  a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue
3. [v]  engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together; "They conspired to overthrow the government"

Cabal
Believing himself responsible for horrific crimes, Boone secludes himself in a remote Canadian necropolis, pursued by hunters and a woman who loves him, in a short novel accompanied by four short stories. Reissue.

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1. \Ca*bal"\ (k[.a]*b[a^]l"), n. [F. cabale cabal, cabala,
   LL. cabala cabala, fr. Heb. qabb[=a]l[=e]h reception,
   tradition, mysterious doctrine, fr. q[=a]bal to take or
   receive, in Pi["e]l qibbel to adopt (a doctrine).]
   1. Tradition; occult doctrine. See {Cabala} [Obs.]
      --Hakewill.
   2. A secret. [Obs.] ``The measuring of the temple, a cabal
      found out but lately.'' --B. Jonson.
   3. A number of persons united in some close design, usually
      to promote their private views and interests in church or
      state by intrigue; a secret association composed of a few
      designing persons; a junto.
   Note: It so happend, by a whimsical coincidence, that in 1671
         the cabinet consisted of five persons, the initial
         letters of whose names made up the word cabal;
         Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, and
         Lauderdale. --Macaulay.
   4. The secret artifices or machinations of a few persons
      united in a close design; intrigue.
            By cursed cabals of women.            --Dryden.
   Syn: Junto; intrigue; plot; combination; conspiracy.
   Usage: {Cabal}, {Combination}, {Faction}. An association for
          some purpose considered to be bad is the idea common
          to these terms. A combination is an organized union of
          individuals for mutual support, in urging their
          demands or resisting the claims of others, and may be
          good or bad according to circumstances; as, a
          combiniation of workmen or of employers to effect or
          to prevent a change in prices. A cabal is a secret
          association of a few individuals who seek by cunning
          practices to obtain office and power. A faction is a
          larger body than a cabal, employed for selfish
          purposes in agitating the community and working up an
          excitement with a view to change the existing order of
          things. ``Selfishness, insubordination, and laxity of
          morals give rise to combinations, which belong
          particularly to the lower orders of society. Restless,
          jealous, ambitious, and little minds are ever forming
          cabals. Factions belong especially to free
          governments, and are raised by busy and turbulent
          spirits for selfish purposes''.         --Crabb.
   

2. \Ca*bal"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Caballed} (-b[a^]ld"); p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Caballing}]. [Cf. F. cabaler.]
   To unite in a small party to promote private views and
   interests by intrigue; to intrigue; to plot.
         Caballing still against it with the great. --Dryden.