Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Word … 7 … Machiavellian

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

Machiavellian

PRONUNCIATION:

(mak-ee-uh-VEL-ee-uhn)

MEANING:

adjective: Characterized by cunning, deception, and expediency.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), Florentine statesman and author of The Prince, a political treatise describing use of craft and deceit to achieve political power.

USAGE:

"Rumours of Machiavellian plots and conspiracy theories have permeated the period of mourning."
Darryl Broadfoot; Mitchell: End the Revisionism; The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland); Nov 23, 2007.
Explore "machiavellian" in the Visual Thesaurus.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom. -Isaac Asimov, scientist and writer (1920-1992)

Sponsored by:
Spacious Passion
A Buddhist teaching on the precious opportunity of living honourably

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