radical cell
- noun
- /ˈrædɪkəl sɛl/
- NSFW
:
célula radical
- Intelligence agencies monitor communication between members of a radical cell to prevent potential attacks.
Examples
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The government cracked down on a suspected radical cell operating in the region.
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It is difficult to infiltrate a radical cell due to their tight security and secrecy.
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The police uncovered a radical cell planning an attack.
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Several radical cells have been linked to the larger organization.
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Intelligence agencies monitor communication between members of a radical cell to prevent potential attacks.
-
The government cracked down on a suspected radical cell operating in the region.
-
It is difficult to infiltrate a radical cell due to their tight security and secrecy.
Synonyms
123
7.1
A small secret group that works inside a larger organization, often for political aims
57
4.9
A group that uses violence and fear against civilians to reach political goals
48
5.3
A group that uses violence to frighten people to reach political goals
15
6.0
A small secret group that plans violent attacks for political reasons
6
8.9
A secret group of people who stay inactive until told to attack or spy
A small secret group that plans and carries out attacks for a terrorist group
How Dangerous
- NSFW
48
5.3
- NSFW
- Literature
93
8.6
- Offensive
4
8.8
542
2.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly built from the constituents: 'radical' (an extremist) + 'cell' (a small clandestine group) naturally yields 'a small secretive group of extremists'. This compositional interpretation follows common semantic patterns (and is mirrored in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
The phrase radical cell mixes two images: radical (people with extreme ideas) and cell (a tiny, hidden room or small unit inside something bigger). So, radical cell may come from the idea of a tiny secret unit inside a larger group, and it now means 'a small secret group of extremists who act on their own'.