好词典

cabal

UK //kəˈbɑːl//US //kəˈbɑːl//

词源

源自法语 'cabale',最终来自希伯来语 'qabbālāh'(卡巴拉,犹太神秘哲学),17世纪英语中开始用于指秘密团体。

noun

❶ 指一小群人为秘密策划阴谋或达成某种目的而组成的团体,通常带有负面含义,暗示不公开的密谋活动。

“The political cabal was accused of manipulating the election results.”

(这个政治小团体被指控操纵选举结果。)

“A cabal of bankers secretly controlled the financial market.”

(一群银行家秘密操控了金融市场。)

同义词:conspiracy, clique, faction

verb

❶ 指秘密策划或密谋,通常用于描述一群人暗中联合起来达成某种目的的行为。

“The disgruntled employees caballed to remove their manager.”

(不满的员工们密谋撤换他们的经理。)

“They were caught caballing against the new policies.”

(他们因密谋反对新政策而被发现。)

同义词:conspire, plot, scheme

常见短语

form a cabal — 指组成一个秘密小团体,通常带有策划阴谋或达成不可告人目的的意味。

“The dissidents formed a cabal to challenge the leadership.”

(持不同政见者组成了一个秘密团体来挑战领导层。)

cabal of — 用于描述由特定人群组成的秘密团体,强调其封闭性和共同目的。

“A cabal of scientists was working on the controversial project.”

(一群科学家组成的小团体正在研究这个有争议的项目。)