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 ]
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. 2012