What does the word caucus?
Definition of caucus (Entry 1 of 2) : a closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party or faction usually to select candidates or to decide on policy a presidential caucus also : a group of people united to promote an agreed-upon cause. caucus. verb. caucused; caucusing; caucuses.
What does the Greek word caucus mean?
drinking cup
“private meeting of party leaders or local voters,” 1763, American English (New England), perhaps from an Algonquian word caucauasu “counselor, elder, adviser” in the dialect of Virginia, or from the Caucus Club of Boston, a 1760s social and political club whose name possibly derived from Modern Greek kaukos “drinking …
What is the correct plural form of caucus?
1 caucus /ˈkɑːkəs/ noun. plural caucuses. 1 caucus.
How did caucus get its name?
The word caucus first came into use in the British colonies of North America, in reference to clubs or private meetings at which political matters were discussed. The Boston Gazette of May 5, 1760, includes the statement: “It is reported, that certain Persons are called by the Name of the New and Grand Corcas.”
What is a caucus group?
A congressional caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress that meets to pursue common legislative objectives. Formally, caucuses are formed as congressional member organizations (CMOs) through the United States House of Representatives and governed under the rules of that chamber.
What is a party conference or caucus?
A party caucus or conference is the name given to a meeting of or organization of all party members in the House. During these meetings, party members discuss matters of concern.
Where did the word caucus originate from?
Native American origins. James Hammond Trumbull suggested to the American Philological Association that the word comes from an Algonquian word for “counsel”, cau´-cau-as´u. It might also derive from the Algonquian cawaassough, meaning an advisor, talker, or orator.
What is the plural of caucus?
What is a caucus voting?
Caucuses are private meetings run by political parties. They are held at the county, district, or precinct level. In most, participants divide themselves into groups according to the candidate they support. At the end, the number of voters in each group determines how many delegates each candidate has won.
How many caucuses are in Congress?
These are the House Democratic Caucus, House Republican Conference, Senate Democratic Caucus and Senate Republican Conference.
What does caucus mean in Australia?
caucus. 1. the meeting of the parliamentary members of a political party. 2. the members of Parliament belonging to a particular political party, used particularly in relation to the Australian Labor Party.
What is the meaning of the word caucus?
Definition of caucus. : a closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party or faction usually to select candidates or to decide on policy a presidential caucus also : a group of people united to promote an agreed-upon cause.
What is a caucus in South Africa?
In South Africa all parties use the term “caucus”. In Canada, “caucus” refers to all members of a particular party in Parliament, including senators, or a provincial legislature. These members elect among themselves a caucus chair who presides over their meetings.
What is the role of the party caucus?
In such contexts, a party caucus can be quite powerful, as it can elect or dismiss the party’s parliamentary leader. The caucus system is a departure from the Westminster tradition in giving members of the upper house a say in the election of the party leader, who may become head of government.
What is the Iowa caucus?
Caucus is making its quadrennial appearance at the top of the lookups, as voters in Iowa cast the first ballots in the U.S. presidential election. The caucus is an important part of every U.S. presidential campaign, but the word can also refer to any group of people, usually politicians, who gather together to work towards some shared goal.