Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Conclave
Con′clave
(? or ?; 277)
, Noun.
1.
The set of apartments within which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are continuously secluded while engaged in choosing a pope.
2.
The body of cardinals shut up in the conclave for the election of a pope; hence, 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.
3.
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. Macaulay.
To be in conclave
, to be engaged in a secret meeting; – said of several, or a considerable number of, persons.
Webster 1828 Edition
Conclave
CONCLAVE
,Noun.
1.
A private apartment, particularly the room in which the Cardinals of the Romish church meet in privacy, for the eletion of a Pope. It consists of a range of small cells or apartments, standing in a line along the galleries and hall of the Vatican.2.
The assembly or meeting of the Cardinals, shut up for the election of a Pope.3.
A private meeting; a close assembly.