English
Etymology
French from L. conclave, a room that may be locked up; con- + clavis'' key. See clavicle
Noun
en-noun
- The set of apartments within which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are continuously secluded while engaged in choosing a pope.
- The group of Roman Catholic cardinals locked in a conclave until they elect a new pope; 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?
- 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. — William Macaulay
Derived terms
To be in conclave: to be engaged in a secret meeting; -- said of several, or a considerable number of, persons.
Related terms
clave
clavis
Italian
Noun
it-noun|conclav|m|e|i
- conclave
Derived terms
conclavista
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