Also 7–8 juncto. [Erroneous form of JUNTA, by assimilation to Sp. sbs. in o (cf. -ADO 2). The form juncto (after L. junctum) was very common down to 1700.]
1. A body of men who have joined or combined for a common purpose, especially of a political character; a self-elected committee or council; a clique, faction or cabal; a club or coterie.
a. In politics or matters of public interest.
In English History the term has been chiefly applied to the Cabinet Council of Charles I., to the Independent and Presbyterian factions of the same period, to the Rump Parliament under Cromwell, and to the combination of prominent Whigs in the reigns of William III. and Anne.
1641. Ld. Brooke, Eng. Episc. (1642), 35. Are these men fit … to direct and advise … in the Privie Juncto’s; to sit at the Helme, to dictate Lawes.
1645. Wither, Vox Pacifica, III. 102. This new Junto, doth so strong become By their conferring Offices and Places.
1657. Hawke, Killing is M., 5. How unworthily … doth this Impostor brand that pacifique and prudent Parliament … with the strange name of a Junto.
1680. Love, in Reflect. ‘Curse ye Meroz,’ 22. The Juncto (meaning the Rump) at Westminster have … received more Money in one year than all the Kings of England.
1708. Penn, in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem., X. 289. You should form a small junto, and meet for that and other publick ends.
a. 1734. North, Exam., II. v. § 32 (1740), 333. These subdivided Offices or Branches of Power, may be committed to single Persons or Junctos as Laws have provided.
1783. Cowper, Lett., 27 Dec., Wks. (1876), 151. The patriotic junto whose efforts have staved off the expected dissolution.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., I. xxv. 374. There was believed to be often a secret Junto which really controlled the ministry.
† b. In ecclesiastical affairs. Obs.
1641. H. P., Quest. Div. Right Episc., 10. If London … should arbitrate by a Junto of all her Divines.
1677. W. Hughes, Man of Sin, II. v. 87. The Trent Juncto hath voted for them.
fig. a. 1716. South, Serm. (1744), VII. iv. 70. One diocesan bishop, will better defend this enclosed garden of the church, than a juncto of five hundred shrubs, than all the quicksets of Geneva.
c. In general sense.
1659. T. Pecke, Parnassi Puerp., 171. And did the Juncto of the Gods agree, To make you Sol?
1673. [R. Leigh], Transp. Reh., 36. None were so loud, as a Junto of Wits.
1713. Addison, Guardian, No. 140, ¶ 4. As … lately settled in a junto of the sex.
1820. W. Irving, Sketch Bk., II. 47. At the corners are assembled juntos of village idlers and wise men.
† 2. = JUNTA 1. Obs.
1701. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), V. 6. From Madrid, that the people seem dissatisfyed with their juncto.
1747. Gentl. Mag., 119. The deputation of the nobless, which they call the junto of the holy office.
3. Comb., as junto-lord, one of the Whig combination in Anne’s reign; junto-man, a member of a junto.
1647. Sprigge, Anglia Rediv., IV. vii. (1854), 263. Lords, knights, and parliament men (otherwise juncto men).
1648. C. Walker, Hist. Independ., I. 21. The Junto-men … the State-Mountebanks.
1713. Swift, Hist. Last Sess., Wks. 1758, IX. 28. The Juncto Lords as they were then called.
Hence Juntocracy nonce-wd. [see -CRACY], government by a junto.
1774. Burgh, Pol. Disquis., in Examiner (1831), 140/1. The British government is really a juntocracy,… or government by a minister and his crew.
