caucus
n. · v.-
1 political meeting (n.) C1 Advanced American English Formal Lawa meeting where members of a political party choose candidates or decide on a plan.
a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement to mobilize and coordinate action.
ExampleThe local party members held a caucus to decide which candidate to support for mayor.
ExampleVoters in Iowa gathered for the first caucus of the election cycle, participating in a series of debates before casting their final ballots.
UsageOften used in the context of US primary elections.
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2 a political group (n.) C1 Advanced American English Formal Lawa group of people in a government who belong to the same party or share the same interests.
a group within a legislative or decision-making body that shares common goals or party affiliation.
ExampleThe environmental caucus met to discuss the new laws about clean water.
ExampleThe legislative caucus remained divided on the tax reform bill, with several members threatening to vote against the party line.
UsageCommonly used for groups like the 'Black Caucus' or 'Women's Caucus'.
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3 to meet together (v.) C1 Advanced American English Formal Lawto meet as a group to discuss a plan or choose a leader.
to hold or participate in a caucus; to confer with members of the same political faction.
ExampleThe delegates will caucus tonight to pick their representative.
ExampleThe committee members decided to caucus privately before returning to the floor to announce their final decision.
UsageUsually an intransitive verb.
Unknown. Often claimed to be from an Algonquian language; transcribed words such as cawaassough and caucauasu meaning "counselor, elder, adviser" appear in early texts. A popular folk etymology attested in Great Leaders and National Issues of 1896 stated: "In the early part of the eighteenth century a number of caulkers connected with the shipping business in the North End of Boston held a meeting for consultation. That meeting was the germ of the political caucuses which have formed so prominent a feature of our government ever since its organization." American Heritage Dictionary states the term is taken from the Caucus Club of Boston in the 1760s, possibly from Medieval Latin caucus (“drinking vessel”).