Pronunciation: [kɐbˈal] (IPA) 
The word "cabal" is often misspelled as "kabul" or "kabbal," but the correct spelling is "kəˈbɑːl." The first syllable is pronounced "kuh" as in "cup," followed by a short "a" sound in the second syllable. The "b" is pronounced softly as "buh," and the final syllable is pronounced with a long "a" sound as in "bake." "Cabal" refers to a small group of people who engage in secret plotting or intrigue, often in politics or government.
Cabal refers to a secretive and exclusive group or faction that comes together for the purpose of achieving specific aims, primarily through intrigue and covert means. It is often associated with political, societal, or conspiratorial activities. The term "cabal" commonly suggests a group that operates behind the scenes, outside of established channels and conventional power structures.
A cabal typically consists of a small number of individuals who possess influence, power, or unique skills and knowledge. This group is known for its ability to control or manipulate events and make decisions that often diverge from open, transparent, and democratic processes. The members of a cabal may form alliances based on common interests, and they usually exert their influence covertly while maintaining confidentiality.
A cabal's goals can range from promoting self-interests to pursuing political or ideological agendas. The members may utilize clandestine methods such as manipulation, conspiracy, or intrigue to achieve their objectives. The workings of a cabal are often characterized by secrecy, exclusivity, and a lack of public accountability.
The term "cabal" has historical origins and its connotations may vary depending on the context. It can be associated with negative perceptions, especially when it involves secretive and manipulative behavior intended to gain power or control. Nonetheless, not all associations labelled as a "cabal" are negative; some can be motivated by legitimate concerns or aims, such as advancing certain policies or protecting collective interests.
• A few men united secretly for some party purpose; a junto.
• To design secretly; to intrigue.
• A secret science or knowledge which the Jewish rabbins alleged they possessed, and by which they professed to be able to explain all Scripture difficulties.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cabal" derives from the Hebrew word "kabbalah" (קַבָּלָה), meaning "reception" or "acceptance". This term refers to the mystical Jewish tradition known as Kabbalah, which originated in the thirteenth century as a body of knowledge concerning the esoteric aspects of Judaism.
The word "cabal" was first introduced in the English language in the 17th century. It initially referred to a small group of people involved in secret or conspiratorial activities, particularly within politics. The term gained popularity during the English Civil War (1642-1651) to describe a group of ministers surrounding Charles II and involved in secret negotiations. Over time, "cabal" broader meaning expanded to denote any secretive or exclusive group engaged in political plotting or intrigue.
