1. (n.) The set of apartments within which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are continuously secluded while engaged in choosing a pope.

2. (n.) The body of cardinals shut up in the conclave for the election of a pope; hence, the body of cardinals.

3. (n.) A private meeting; a close or secret assembly.

Council of Nicaea Council of Trent Lateran Council Vatican Council assemblee assembly assignation at home audience ball bargaining bargaining session brawl caucus chapter classis colloquium commission committee conciliarism concourse confab confabulation conference confrontation congregation congress consistory constitutional convention consultation conventicle convention convocation council council fire council of war county convention dance date diet diocesan conference discussion ecclesiastical council ecumenical council eisteddfod exchange of views eyeball-to-eyeball encounter festivity fete forgathering forum gathering get-together high-level talk housewarming huddle interchange of views interview levee meet meeting national convention negotiations news conference nominating convention palaver panel parley parochial church council parochial council party plenary council plenum political convention pourparler powwow preliminary convention presbytery press conference prom quadrennial circus quorum rally reception rendezvous seance session shindig sit-in sitting soiree state convention summit summit conference summitry symposium synod turnout vestry