Machiavellian
See also: machiavellian
English
WOTD – 16 June 2008
Alternative forms
- machiavellian
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): /ˌmæk.i.əˈvɛl.i.ən/, /ˌmæk.jəˈvɛl.i.ən/
- (US) 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.
- Iago is the Machiavellian antagonist in William Shakespeare's play, Othello.
- 1999 January, Larry Cunningham, “Taking on Testilying”, in Criminal Justice Ethics, volume 18, DOI: , pages 26–40:
- The most common reason cited is a Machiavellian one: Police view perjury as a necessary means to achieve the ends of justice.
- 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",
Synonyms
- Machiavellic
- Machiavellistic
Derived terms
- Machiavellianism
- Machiavellism
- Merkelvellian
Translations
attempting to achieve goals by cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous methods
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Noun
Machiavellian (plural Machiavellians)
- A ruthless schemer.
Synonyms
- Machiavellist