caucus

[ kaw-kuh s ]
/ ˈkɔ kəs /

noun, plural cau·cus·es.

U.S. Politics.
  1. a meeting of party leaders to select candidates, elect convention delegates, etc.
  2. a meeting of party members within a legislative body to select leaders and determine strategy.
  3. (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

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.