a small group of people who spend their time together and do not allow others to join them 派系；私党；小集团；小圈子 The club is dominated by a small clique of intellectuals. 这个俱乐部由一小群知识分子把持。
Word Originearly 18th cent.: from French, from Old French cliquer ‘make a noise’; the modern sense is related to claque.