noun
clan; family clique; marriage-based faction
Refers to a powerful family group or political clique bound together by marriage ties. Often used in historical or political contexts, such as 閨閥政治 (marriage-alliance politics).
彼は有力な政治家の閨閥に属している。
He belongs to the marriage-based clique of an influential politician.
戦前の日本では、閨閥が政界で大きな力を持っていた。
In prewar Japan, marriage-based family cliques held great power in political circles.
Compound of 閨 (けい, 'bedroom; private quarters', implying marriage) and 閥 (ばつ, 'clan; faction'). The term likely emerged in the context of political and social alliances formed through marriage, especially in pre-modern and early modern Japan.