Cabala

n. (kăb"ȧ*lȧ)

[LL. See Cabal, n.]

1. A kind of occult theosophy or traditional interpretation of the Scriptures among Jewish rabbis and certain mediæval Christians, which treats of the nature of god and the mystery of human existence. It assumes that every letter, word, number, and accent of Scripture contains a hidden sense; and it teaches the methods of interpretation for ascertaining these occult meanings. The cabalists pretend even to foretell events by this means.

2. Secret science in general; mystic art; mystery.

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IN BRIEF: n. - An esoteric theosophy of rabbinical origin based on the Hebrew scriptures and developed between the 7th and 18th centuries.

Tutor's tip: A "cabal" is a secret political plot or a group of secret plotters, "cabala" or "cabbala" is a system of mysticism in Judaism, while "cable" is a strong wire or metal rope.

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The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: an esoteric or occult matter that is traditionally secret
  Synonyms: cabbala, cabbalah, kabala, kabbala, kabbalah

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