• Caucus

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /ˈkɔː.kÉ™s/
    • Rhymes: -ɔːkÉ™s
    • US IPA: /ˈkÉ”(ː).kÉ™s/, /ˈkÉ’(ː).kÉ™s/
    • cot-caught IPA: /ˈkÉ‘(ː).kÉ™s/

    Origin

    Unknown. One possible source is Algonquin cawaassough or caucauasu ("counselor, elder, adviser").

    Wilson, James (1999). The Earth Shall Weep. New York City, NY: Atlantic Monthly Press. pp. 104–105. ISBN 0-87113-730-5.

    A popular folk etymology attested in Great Leaders and National Issues of 1896 stated: "In the early part of the eighteenth century a number of caulkers connected with the shipping business in the North End of Boston held a meeting for consultation. That meeting was the germ of the political caucuses which have formed so prominent a feature of our government ever since its organization."

    Edward Sylvester Ellis, et al., eds. Great Leaders and National Issues of 1896: containing the lives of the Republican and Democratic candidates for president and vice-president, biographical sketches of the leading men of all parties ... famous campaigns of the past, history of political parties, lives of our former presidents ..., Chapter I.

    American Heritage Dictionary states the term is taken from the Caucus Club of Boston in the 1760s, possibly derived from Medieval Latin caucus, drinking vessel.

    "caucus". American Heritage Dictionary (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. 2000.

    Full definition of caucus

    Noun

    caucus

    (plural caucuses)
    1. (US) A meeting, especially a preliminary meeting, of persons belonging to a party, to nominate candidates for public office, or to select delegates to a nominating convention, or to confer regarding measures of party policy; a political primary meeting.
    2. (US, Canada) A grouping of all the members of a legislature from the same party.

    Derived terms

    terms derived from caucus (noun)

    Verb

    1. (US) To meet and participate in caucus.
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