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Webster 1913 Edition
Caucus
Cau′cus
,Noun.
[Etymology uncertain. Mr. J. H. Trumbull finds the origin of
caucus
in the N. A. Indian word cawcawwassough
or caú cau-as’u
one who urges or pushes on, a promoter. See citation for an early use of the word caucus
.] A meeting, especially a preliminary meeting, of persons belonging to a party, to nominate candidates for public office, or to select delegates to a nominating convention, or to confer regarding measures of party policy; a political primary meeting.
This day learned that the
caucus
club meets, at certain times, in the garret of Tom Dawes, the adjutant of the Boston regiment. John Adams's Diary [Feb. , 1763].
Cau′cus
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Caucused
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Caucusing
.] To hold, or meet in, a caucus or caucuses.