conclave

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The body of cardinals shut up in the conclave for the election of a pope; hence, the body of cardinals. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A private meeting; a close or secret assembly. [ 1913 Webster ]

The verdicts pronounced by this conclave (Johnson's Club) on new books, were speedily known over all London. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

To be in conclave, to be engaged in a secret meeting; -- said of several, or a considerable number of, persons. [ 1913 Webster ]