Machiavellian
See also: machiavellian
English
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
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌmæk.i.əˈvɛl.i.ən/, /ˌmæk.jəˈvɛl.i.ən/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˌmɑk.i.əˈvɛl.i.ən/, /ˌmæk.jəˈvɛl.i.ən/
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Adjective
Machiavellian (comparative more Machiavellian, superlative most Machiavellian)
- Attempting to achieve goals by cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous methods, especially in politics or in advancing one's career.
- 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.
- 2006, Mark Vernon, Philosophy and Life, "Plato or Machiavelli",
Derived terms
Translations
attempting to achieve goals by cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous methods
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- Macedonian: (please verify) макијавелистички (makijavelistički)
Noun
Machiavellian (plural Machiavellians)