What is a "cabal"?
A cabal is a small, secretive group of people who work together to achieve a particular aim, often for their own benefit and usually using secret or manipulative means.
Examples with Context Clues:
* "The king was overthrown by a cabal of his own advisors who sought to seize power."
* Context Clue: "overthrown" and "seize power" suggest that the group was acting against the king's interests.
* "The students formed a cabal to cheat on the exam, exchanging answers and whispering during the test."
* Context Clue: "cheat on the exam" and "whispering" imply a clandestine, dishonest act.
* "The old women in the village were rumored to be part of a cabal that controlled the weather, using their magic to bring rain or sunshine as they pleased."
* Context Clue: "rumored" and "magic" indicate a secret and potentially superstitious belief.
Important Notes:
* Negative Connotation: "Cabal" often has a negative connotation, suggesting secrecy, manipulation, and potentially harmful intentions.
* Other Clues: Look for words and phrases that indicate:
* Secretiveness: "secretly," "in the shadows," "clandestine"
* Manipulative actions: "plotting," "scheming," "underhanded"
* Hidden motives: "behind-the-scenes," "ulterior motive"
Let me know if you'd like to see more examples or want to explore other context clues!