Conclave /(? [or] ?; 277)/

Con·clave

Conclave

n.
  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.
  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.

Phrases & Compounds
To be in conclave
to be engaged in a secret meeting; -- said of several, or a considerable number of, persons.