English Explanatory Dictionary

éminence grise

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A secret or unofficial decision-maker.

Pronunciation

/ˌɛmɪnɒns ˈɡɹiːz/ /ˌeɪ-/ /ˌɛmɪnɑns ˈɡɹiz/ En-us-éminence grise.oga

Word forms

éminence grise éminences grises éminence grises eminence grise

Etymology

Borrowed from French éminence grise (literally “grey eminence”), originally applied to François Leclerc du Tremblay (1577–1638), also known as Père Joseph, a French Capuchin friar who was the confidant and agent of Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642), the chief minister of France under Louis XIII (1601–1643). The term refers to du Tremblay’s influence over the Cardinal (who bore the honorific of Eminence), and the colour of his habit (grey, rather than the red of a cardinal).

Synonyms

power behind the throne gray eminence

Related words

puppet master svengali
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