gray eminence

gray eminence
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.

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  • 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

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