caucus
[ kaw-kuh s ]
/ ˈkɔ kəs /
noun, plural cau·cus·es.
U.S. Politics.
- a meeting of party leaders to select candidates, elect convention delegates, etc.
- a meeting of party members within a legislative body to select leaders and determine strategy.
- (often initial capital letter) a faction within a legislative body that pursues its interests through the legislative process: the Women's Caucus; the Black Caucus.
any group or meeting organized to further a special interest or cause.
verb (used without object)
to hold or meet in a caucus.
verb (used with object)
to bring up or hold for discussion in a caucus: The subject was caucused. The group caucused the meeting.
Origin of caucus
1755–65,
Americanism; apparently first used in the name of the
Caucus Club of colonial Boston; perhaps < Medieval Latin
caucus drinking vessel, Late Latin
caucum < Greek
kaûkos; alleged Virginia Algonquian orig. less probable
Words nearby caucus
Example sentences from the Web for caucus
British Dictionary definitions for caucus
caucus
/ (ˈkɔːkəs) /
noun plural -cuses
verb
(intr)
to hold a caucus
Word Origin for caucus
C18: probably of Algonquian origin; related to
caucauasu adviser
Cultural definitions for caucus
caucus
[ (kaw-kuhs) ]
A meeting of members of a political party to nominate candidates, choose convention delegates, plan campaign tactics, determine party policy, or select leaders for a legislature.