ˈkō]d.ərē, ]tərē, -ri; ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈrē; esp archaic |kä]\ noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French, from Middle French, association of peasant tenants, from (assumed) cotier cottager (from Medieval Latin cotarius ) + Middle French -ie -y — more at cotter
: an intimate often exclusive group of persons having a binding common interest or purpose : clique
the aristocratic coterie finally got the upper hand — Edith Hamilton