- gray eminence
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a person who wields unofficial power, esp. through another person and often surreptitiously or privately.Also, éminence grise.[1940-45; trans. of F éminence grise]
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Universalium. 2010.
gray eminence
Look at other dictionaries:
gray eminence — n. ÉMINENCE GRISE … English World dictionary
gray eminence — gray′ em′inence n. a person who wields unofficial power, esp. through another person and often surreptitiously or privately Also called éminence grise • Etymology: 1940–45; trans. of F éminence grise … From formal English to slang
gray eminence — noun Etymology: translation of French Éminence grise, nickname of Père Joseph (François Joseph du Tremblay) died 1638 French monk and diplomat who was confidant of Cardinal Richelieu, styled Éminence rouge (red eminence); from the colors of their … New Collegiate Dictionary
gray eminence — noun Etymology: translation of French éminence grise more at éminence grise : a person that exercises power behind the scenes … Useful english dictionary
gray eminence — Synonyms and related words: Machiavellian, Rasputin, Svengali, VIP, access, bad influence, behind the scenes operator, big wheel, court, eminence grise, finagler, five percenter, friend at court, gamesman, good influence, heavyweight, hidden hand … Moby Thesaurus
eminence — c.1400, projection, protuberance; early 15c., high or exalted position, from O.Fr. eminence or directly from L. eminentia prominence, eminence, from eminentem (nom. eminens) excellent, prominent (see EMINENT (Cf. eminent)). As a title of honor… … Etymology dictionary
éminence grise — [ā mē näns grēz′] n. [Fr, lit., gray eminence, nickname of François Leclerc du Tremblay (1577 1638), Fr monk and confidential agent of, and an assumed influence over, Richelieu: so named from the color of his habit] a person who wields great… … English World dictionary
éminence grise — noun (plural éminences grises) Etymology: French, literally, gray eminence, nickname of Père Joseph (François du Tremblay) died 1638 French monk and diplomat, confidant of Cardinal Richelieu who was known as Éminence Rouge red eminence; from the… … New Collegiate Dictionary
eminence grise — em|i|nence grise [ˌemınɔns ˈgri:z US na:ns ] n plural eminences grises [Date: 1800 1900; : French; Origin: éminence grise gray eminence , originally used of Père Joseph, adviser of the French minister Cardinal Richelieu] someone who has… … Dictionary of contemporary English
éminence grise — (ay mee nahns GREEZ) [French: gray eminence] The power behind the throne; a person able to influence or manipulate those in high places, often in an unofficial capacity or in secret. Cardinal Richelieu was the éminence grise during the… … Dictionary of foreign words and phrases
