/kaw"keuhs/ , n. , pl. caucuses , v.
n.
1. U.S. Politics.
a. a meeting of party leaders to select candidates, elect convention delegates, etc.
b. a meeting of party members within a legislative body to select leaders and determine strategy.
c. ( often cap. ) a faction within a legislative body that pursues its interests through the legislative process: the Women's Caucus; the Black Caucus.
2. any group or meeting organized to further a special interest or cause.
v.i.
3. to hold or meet in a caucus.
v.t.
4. to bring up or hold for discussion in a caucus: The subject was caucused. The group caucused the meeting.
[ 1755-65, Amer.; appar. first used in the name of the Caucus Club of colonial Boston; perh. caucus drinking vessel, LL caucum kaûkos; alleged Virginia Algonquian orig. less probable ]