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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Machiavellian

Machiavelian \Mach`i*a*vel"ian\, Machiavellian \Mach`i*a*vel"lian\, a. [From Machiavel (also called Machiavelli), an Italian writer, secretary and historiographer to the republic of Florence.] Of or pertaining to Machiavelli, or to his supposed principles for conduct of government, as enunciated in his tract The Prince; politically cunning; characterized by duplicity, political expediency, unscrupulous cunning, or bad faith; crafty.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Machiavellian

"cunning, deceitful, unscrupulous," 1570s, from Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527), Florentine statesman and author of "Del Principe," a work advising rulers to place advantage above morality. A word of abuse in English well before his works were translated ("The Discourses" 1636, "The Prince" 1640), in part because his books were Indexed by the Church, in part because of French attacks on him (such as Gentillet's, translated into English 1602).

Wiktionary
machiavellian

a. (alternative form of Machiavellian English)

Wikipedia
Machiavellian (horse)

Machiavellian (January 31, 1987 – June 27, 2004) was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from August 1989 to August 1990 he ran seven times and won four races. He was the leading French two-year-old of 1989 when he was unbeaten in three races including the Group One Prix Morny and Prix de la Salamandre. He later became a highly successful sire of winners.

Usage examples of "machiavellian".

United the two men might be in their hatred of the French, republicanism, and Catholics, but Hendon was far too much a stickler for the preeminence of rules and propriety to ever find favor with a Machiavellian schemer like Jarvis.

In this way only do the Moors shine as politicians, unless prevarication and procrastination be included, Machiavellian arts in which they easily excel.

In recent years there had been a concerted attempt to restore the original appearance of the gracious Federal houses, and Ladiesburg merchants nurtured Machiavellian schemes for challenging New Market as the antiques capital of Maryland.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some idiot's already come up with the theory that what happened to their navy was part of some Machiavellian `betrayal by the high command' to set up the assassination.

Devious some politicians may be and others are armoured in pachydermal hides: but never had the President encountered such Machiavellian effrontery.

Unless you subscribe to the rather Machiavellian school of thought that giving credit to others is just a sneaky way of damning them with faint praise.

He did so with a Borgia-like cruelty and a Machiavellian subtleness, plus solid American business ' know-how.