from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Junta \Jun"ta\ (j[u^]n"t[.a]), n.; pl. {Juntas} (j[u^]n"t[.a]z).
[Sp., fr. L. junctus joined, p. p. of jungere to join. See
{Join}, and cf. {Junto}.]
1. A council; a convention; a tribunal; an assembly; esp.,
the grand council of state in Spain.
[1913 Webster]
2. A junto.
[PJC]
3. A small committee or group self-appointed to serve as the
government of a country, usually just after a coup d'etat
or revolution, and often composed primarily of military
men. The term is used mostly in Latin American countries.
[PJC]