from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cabinet \Cab"i*net\ (k[a^]b"[i^]*n[e^]t), n. [F., dim. of cabine
or cabane. See {Cabin}, n.]
1. A hut; a cottage; a small house. [Obs.]
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Hearken a while from thy green cabinet,
The rural song of careful Colinet. --Spenser.
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2. A small room, or retired apartment; a closet.
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3. A private room in which consultations are held.
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Philip passed some hours every day in his father's
cabinet. --Prescott.
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4. The advisory council of the chief executive officer of a
nation; a cabinet council.
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Note: In England, the cabinet or cabinet council consists of
those privy councilors who actually transact the
immediate business of the government. --Mozley & W. --
In the United States, the cabinet is composed of the
heads of the executive departments of the government,
namely, the Secretary of State, of the Treasury, of
War, of the Navy, of the Interior, and of Agiculture,
the Postmaster-general, and the Attorney-general.
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5.
(a) A set of drawers or a cupboard intended to contain
articles of value. Hence:
(b) A decorative piece of furniture, whether open like an
['e]tag[`e]re or closed with doors. See
{['e]tag[`e]re}.
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6. Any building or room set apart for the safe keeping and
exhibition of works of art, etc.; also, the collection
itself.
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{Cabinet council}.
(a) Same as {Cabinet}, n., 4 (of which body it was
formerly the full title).
(b) A meeting of the cabinet.
{Cabinet councilor}, a member of a cabinet council.
{Cabinet photograph}, a photograph of a size smaller than an
imperial, though larger than a {carte de visite}.
{Cabinet picture}, a small and generally highly finished
picture, suitable for a small room and for close
inspection.
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