Machiavellian

See also: machiavellian

English
WOTD – 16 June 2008

Alternative forms

Etymology

From the name of the Italian statesman and writer Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), whose work The Prince (1532) advises that acquiring and exercising power may require unethical methods.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌmɒk.i.əˈvɛl.i.ən/, /ˌmæk.jəˈvɛl.i.ən/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌmɑk.i.əˈvɛl.i.ən/, /ˌmæk.jəˈvɛl.i.ən/
  • Audio (US)(file)
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    Audio (US)(file)
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Adjective

Machiavellian (comparative more Machiavellian, superlative most Machiavellian)

  1. Attempting to achieve goals by cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous methods, especially in politics or in advancing one's career.
    Iago is the Machiavellian antagonist in William Shakespeare's play, Othello.
  2. Related to the philosophical system of Niccolò Machiavelli.
    • 2006, Mark Vernon, Philosophy and Life, "Plato or Machiavelli",
      It is Machiavellian, in the sense that it revolves around the question of how to maintain power.

Derived terms

Translations
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Translations to be checked

Noun

Machiavellian (plural Machiavellians)

  1. A ruthless schemer.
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