Collogue

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kɒˈləʊɡ/

Definitions

1. To participate in a private conversation or discussion with the aim of exchanging ideas or planning something collaboratively
2. To hold a confidential dialogue with others to explore topics or develop plans through conversation
3. To engage in a clandestine discussion aimed at sharing insights or coordinating actions with others

Etymology: The verb "collogue" first appears in English in the 1590s, in the form "colloguing," and its history runs through a tangle of related words. It seems to have come from "colleague" in the sense "to associate with," which itself traces back to Latin "collega," a partner in office. The other thread is French "colloque," meaning a secret meeting, which descends from Latin "colloquium," the source of English "colloquy." The Latin roots add a further layer. "Collega" combined a prefix meaning "together" with the idea of sharing a post, while Greek "lógos," meaning speech or discourse, may have contributed a related strand, perhaps partly through Latin "loquor," "to speak." The word may also have been nudged toward "dialogue" in form. The result is a verb whose sense of quiet, conspiratorial talk owes more to a French meeting place than to any office or colleague.

Synonyms: confer, consult, discuss, converse, negotiate