/ ˌmækiəˈveliən; NAmE / adjective
( formal , disapproving ) using clever plans to achieve what you want, without people realizing what you are doing
SYN cunning , unscrupulous
ORIGIN: From the name of Niccolò Machiavelli , an Italian politician (1469-1527), who explained in his book The Prince , that it was often necessary for rulers to use immoral methods in order to achieve power and success.