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éminence grise

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
ém·i·nence grise  (-m-näs grz)
n. pl. ém·i·nence grises (-m-näs grz)
A powerful adviser or decision-maker who operates secretly or unofficially. Also called gray eminence.
[French, the power behind the throne : éminence, power + grise, feminine of gris, gray, shadowy.]
éminence grise French [eminɑ̃s griz]
n pl éminences grises [eminɑ̃s griz]
a person who wields power and influence unofficially or behind the scenes
[literally: grey eminence, originally applied to Père Joseph (François Le Clerc du Tremblay; died 1638), French monk, secretary of Cardinal Richelieu]
Translations
éminence grise
n → graue Eminenz
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But always walking one step behind Paterson now is his own éminence grise, Charles O'Byrne, an extremely intelligent, well-connected, tough and reclusive former Jesuit priest who as the governor's chief of staff will be one of the most powerful players in New York government.
Gov. Paterson's Main Man: Former Jesuit, 'Natural' Politician Charles ... by Jason Horowitz / The New York Observer
Gelb now continues his relationship with The Times as a consultant and, for whatever it is worth in an age when the journalism he knew and practiced may be on the cutting edge of oblivion, he exists as the institution’s éminence grise and one of its ceremonial hosts for such events as last Thursday evening’s farewell party to the chateau of the Good Gray Lady on West 43rd Street.
The Kingdom and the Tower by Gay Talese / The New York Observer
while the increasingly unwatched Katie Couric—CBS’s $60 million woman—rubs noses with Klimt collector Ronald Lauder, Barnes & Noble pooh-bah Leonard Riggio, the always-cuddly Dustin Hoffman, David Bowie (who is officially everywhere) and éminence grise Walter Cronkite.
Sunday, May 20th by Sara Vilkomerson / The New York Observer
 
 
 
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