camarilla

/ˌkæməˈrɪlə/ /ˌkɑːməˈriːjə/

Meanings

noun

A secret, usually sinister, group of conspiring advisors close to the leadership; a cabal.

Examples :

"The principal suspected a camarilla of senior teachers was secretly undermining her authority by spreading rumors and manipulating school policies. "

Related Words

undermining verb

/ˌʌndərˈmaɪnɪŋ/

To dig underneath (something), to make a passage for destructive or military purposes; to sap.

"His constant criticism was undermining her confidence in her ability to do the job. "

teachers noun

/ˈtiːt͡ʃəz/ /ˈtit͡ʃɚz/

A person who teaches, especially one employed in a school.

"The teachers at my school are very helpful and care about their students. "

secretly adverb

/ˈsi.kɹət.li/

In secret, covertly.

"She secretly hoped he would ask her to the dance. "

conspiring verb

/kənˈspaɪərɪŋ/ /kəmˈspaɪərɪŋ/

To secretly plot or make plans together, often with the intention to bring bad or illegal results.

"The students were conspiring to skip school on Friday. "

leadership noun

/ˈliːdəʃɪp/ /ˈlidɚʃɪp/

The capacity of someone to lead others.

"The student's leadership in the class project helped the team succeed. "

spreading verb

/ˈspɹɛdɪŋ/

To stretch out, open out (a material etc.) so that it more fully covers a given area of space.

"He spread his newspaper on the table."

sinister adjective

/ˈsɪnɪstə/ /ˈsɪnɪstɚ/

Inauspicious, ominous, unlucky, illegitimate (as in bar sinister).

"The dark, deserted alley had a sinister feeling, making me want to turn around immediately. "

principal noun

/ˈpɹɪnsəpəl/ /ˈpɹɪnsəp̬əl/

The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.

"A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest."

advisors noun

/ədˈvaɪzərz/ /ædˈvaɪzərz/

One who offers advice.

"The student met with her academic advisors to discuss which classes to take next semester. "

authority noun

/ɔːˈθɒɹəti/ /əˈθɑɹəti/

The power to enforce rules or give orders.

"I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them."

manipulating verb

/məˈnɪpjəˌleɪtɪŋ/ /məˈnɪpjəˌleɪɾɪŋ/

To move, arrange or operate something using the hands

"The toddler was happily manipulating his building blocks, stacking them and knocking them down. "

suspected verb

/səsˈpɛktɪd/

To imagine or suppose (something) to be true, or to exist, without proof.

"to suspect the presence of disease"