Understanding Word Substitutes for Political Meetings

The question asks us to find a single word that can replace the phrase "A closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party". This is a common type of question in vocabulary or English language sections of competitive exams, testing our knowledge of specific terms.

Let's look at the options provided and understand their meanings:

• Caucus: This word specifically refers to a meeting of the members of a political party or a subgroup within a political party, typically to decide policy or select candidates. The term often implies a private or closed meeting.
• Clique: A clique is a small group of people, with shared interests or other features in common, who spend time together and do not welcome other people into the group. It can be exclusive, but it is not necessarily political or tied to a formal meeting structure of a party.
• Brace: This word has several meanings, including a device that holds things together or strengthens something, a pair of things, or to prepare oneself for something difficult. None of these meanings fit the context of a political party meeting.
• Coterie: A coterie is a small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people. Similar to a clique, it's a social grouping based on shared interests, but not specifically related to a formal political party meeting.

Comparing the definitions with the given sentence, "A closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party", the word that most accurately describes this specific type of gathering is Caucus.

A caucus is indeed a meeting held by members of a political party. This meeting is often closed to the public or members outside that specific group within the party, fitting the "closed meeting" aspect of the description.

Therefore, the word that best substitutes the given sentence is Caucus.