Dismantled esoteric cabals (8)

I believe the answer is:

coteries

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'cabals' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both groups as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'dismantled esoteric' is the wordplay.
'dismantled' indicates anagramming the letters.
'esoteric' is an anagram of 'COTERIES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for coteries that I've seen before include "Exclusive circles, cliques" , "Exclusive groups" , "'Inner circles, cliques (8)'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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