1540s, "secret storehouse, treasure chamber," from Middle French cabinet "small room" (16c.), diminutive of Old French cabane "cabin" (see cabin); perhaps influenced by (or rather, from) Italian gabbinetto, diminutive of gabbia, from Latin cavea "stall, stoop, cage, den for animals" (see cave (n.)).
Meaning "case for safe-keeping" (of papers, liquor, etc.) is from 1540s, gradually shading to mean a piece of furniture that does this. Sense of "private room where advisors meet" (c. 1600) led to modern political meaning (1640s); perhaps originally short for cabinet council (1630s); compare board (n.1) in its evolution from place where some group meets to the word for the group that meets there.
双语例句
1. This issue, more than any other, has divided her cabinet.
主要是这一问题使她的内阁产生了分歧。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Cabinet Ministers are selfishly pursuing their own vested interests.
内阁大臣们正在自私地追逐他们自己的既得利益。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The announcement came after a three-hour Cabinet meeting in Downing Street.
在唐宁街进行了长达3个小时的内阁会议后发布了这份公告。
来自柯林斯例句
4. He is one of the most hawkish members of the new cabinet.
他是新内阁中鹰派色彩最浓的成员之一。
来自柯林斯例句
5. All together there are six new faces in the cabinet.
