coterie
noun [countable + singular or plural verb] (formal, often disapproving)a small group of people who have the same interests and do things together but do not like to include others （志趣相同、合伙做事而排外的）小圈子，小集团 her little coterie of friends and advisers 她的朋友和顾问小圈子 a literary coterie 一帮文人。 He surrounded himself with an elite coterie of political advisors. 他身边围绕着一群政治顾问精英。 His work attracted a coterie of admirers in the US. 他的作品在美国吸引了一小撮崇拜者。
Word Originearly 18th cent.: from French, earlier denoting an association of tenants, based on Middle Low German kote ‘cote’, a shelter for mammals or birds.