caucus

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cau·cus / ˈkôkəs/ • n. (pl. -cus·es) 1. a meeting of the members of a legislative body who are members of a particular political party, to select candidates or decide policy. ∎  the members of such a body.2. a group of people with shared concerns within a political party or larger organization. ∎  a meeting of such a group.• v. (-cused, -cus·ing) [intr.] hold or form such a group or meeting.ORIGIN: mid 18th cent. (originally U.S.): perhaps from Algonquian cau'-cau'-as'u ‘adviser.’

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