[ kα:'tɛl ]
■ noun
1》 an association of manufacturers or suppliers formed to maintain high prices and restrict competition.
2》 chiefly historical a political coalition intended to promote a mutual interest.
Derivatives
~ize or ~ise verb
Origin
C19 (used orig. with ref. to the coalition of the Conservative and National Liberal parties in Germany (1887)): from Ger. Kartell , from Fr. ~ , from Ital. ~lo , dimin. of carta , from L. carta (see card 1 ).