Word of the Day: MACHIAVELLIAN

Masterfully manipulative

Machiavellian (adj) - manipulative, cunning, and savvy politically; scheming, unscrupulous, and deceitful in achieving goals [mak-ee-uh-vel-ee-uhn]

Machiavellianism is the practice or pattern of duplicity and scheming

BREAKDOWN: The word Machiavellian pays dubious honor to Niccolò Machiavelli, the Renaissance author, philosopher, and diplomat who wrote one of the world’s great political books, The Prince. Described as a blunt, unsentimental guide to the exercise of power or a satire of some of the famous figures of the 16th century, The Prince lays out a blueprint for ruling with charisma, cunning and force.

“Although ‘Machiavellian’ has become synonymous with strategies based on deceit and manipulation, Machiavelli’s approach was actually far more balanced. He understood that the more the prince was perceived to rely on devious methods, the less likely it would be that they succeeded.” —Lawrence Freedman

[Our Wednesday Wildcards are fascinating and important words that are not necessarily or obviously derived from classical roots.]