Cartel
/kɑːrˈtɛl/noun
A combination of independent groups or businesses that cooperate to control prices or markets.
Did you know?Cartel comes from a Latin root for a written document or charter, not from crime—its modern sinister meaning grew later as agreements between rivals became associated with price-fixing and organized control.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Latin
Latin
charta
“paper, sheet of paper, document”
Italian
It
cartello
“a written notice, placard, or challenge”
French
Fr
cartel
“a written agreement; later, a duel challenge or formal arrangement”
18th–19th Century
French/English
cartel
“an agreement between parties, especially for exchange of prisoners or commercial cooperation”
Modern English
English
cartel
“a group of independent businesses or organizations that coordinate to dominate a market”