Clique

Pronunciation

• UK
• IPA: /kliːk/
• Rhymes: -iːk
• US
• IPA: /kliːk/
• Rhymes: -iːk

Origin

Borrowing from fr {{2}} clique

Full definition of clique

Noun

1. A small, exclusive group of individuals; cabalThis school used to be really friendly, but now everyone keeps to their own cliques.
2. (graph theory) A subgraph isomorphic to a complete graph.The problem of finding the largest clique in an arbitrary graph is NP-complete.
3. (Internet) A group of related web sites that link to each other, like a webring but with exclusive membership determined by the clique owner.
• 1999, "Jackie", someone help me out? (on newsgroup alt.fan.leo-dicaprio)Does anyone know what an internet clique is/does? I came across a few and am thoroughly confused.
• 2000, "- deanna -", ot: hiya (on newsgroup alt.fan.backstreet.boys)even though we're not "regulars" anymore...*sniffle*...we still can't forget the NG...i always tell new fans about it...(people who join my clique, etc...)...and besides...i owe the NG a LOT...itz where i met my best friend...
• 2001, "spee2k", future no doubt website.... (on newsgroup alt.music.no-doubt)you always have to click some big section and you get a whole new set of options in a different frame, thats usually on the other side of the screen. when you're there, you can choose from (in a section site stuff or something like that) link me, link you, links, top 10 links, free for all links, cliques, and webrings.

Synonyms

• (small, exclusive group) coterie, ingroup, inner circle, camp

Derived terms

• clique number

Related terms

• cliquey

Verb

1. To associate together in a clannish way; to act with others secretly to gain a desired end; to plot.

Usage notes

Often used in the form clique together.