ÉMINENCE GRISE


Meaning of ÉMINENCE GRISE in English

n. 1 a person who exercises power or influence without holding office. 2 a confidential agent.

[ F, = grey cardinal (see EMINENCE): orig. applied to Cardinal Richelieu's private secretary, Père Joseph d. 1638 ]

Concise Oxford English dictionary.      Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка.