The correct answer is (A) 1. A clique, usually secret, that seeks power through intrigue. A group of secret plotters (e.g., against an authority figure or government). 2. The plots or intrigues of such a group. 3. A clique in the artistic, literary, theatrical, or other field.

• As soon as the president departed for the Mediterranean in August, a cabal of senior officers made their move to seize power.
  
  
• The young film producer had his own cabal to follow him around.