camarilla

[ kam-uh-ril-uh; Spanish kah-mah-ree-lyah, -ree-yah ]

/ ˌkæm əˈrɪl ə; Spanish ˌkɑ mɑˈri lyɑ, -ˈri yɑ /

a group of unofficial or private advisers to a person of authority, especially a group much given to intrigues and secret plots; cabal; clique.

Origin of camarilla

1830–40; < Spanish, equivalent to camar(a) room (< Latin camera; see chamber) + -illa diminutive suffix < Latin

camail, caman, camaraderie, camarasaur, camargue, camarilla, camarillo, camass, camauro, camb., cambay

In either case the sovereignty of Ireland relapses into the hands of the permanent officials, that camarilla of Olympians.

The Open Secret of Ireland |T. M. Kettle
Once master of the world, Julian could see its needs without using the eyes of the Asiatic camarilla.

The Arian Controversy |H. M. Gwatkin
Truly the camarilla were supporting each other, and I, an onlooker, stood amazed and astounded.

The Minister of Evil |William Le Queux
But how can we shake off this Camarilla that shelters itself behind a forest of bayonets?

Anarchism |E. V. Zenker

Hardly anything could better illustrate the appalling mental position of the camarilla that has got to go.

'I Believe' and other essays |Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull

camarilla

/ (ˌkæməˈrɪlə, Spanish kamaˈriʎa) /

a group of confidential advisers, esp formerly, to the Spanish kings; cabal

C19: from Spanish: literally: a little room