junta

n.; pl. Juntas [ Sp., fr. L. junctus joined, p. p. of jungere to join. See Join, and cf. Junto. ] 1. A council; a convention; a tribunal; an assembly; esp., the grand council of state in Spain. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A junto. [ PJC ]

3. A small committee or group self-appointed to serve as the government of a country, usually just after a coup d'etat or revolution, and often composed primarily of military men. The term is used mostly in Latin American countries. [ PJC ]