'To be in conclave' definitions:
Definition of 'To be in conclave'
From: GCIDE
- 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. [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]