Main Entry:

car·tel

Pronunciation:

\kär-ˈtel\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, letter of defiance, from Old Italian cartello, literally, placard, from carta leaf of paper — more at card

Date:

1692

1 : a written agreement between belligerent nations 2 : a combination of independent commercial or industrial enterprises designed to limit competition or fix prices 3 : a combination of political groups for common action