MACHIAVELLIAN

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does Machiavellian mean? 

• MACHIAVELLIAN (noun)
  The noun MACHIAVELLIAN has 1 sense:

1. a follower of Machiavelli's principles

  Familiarity information: MACHIAVELLIAN used as a noun is very rare.

• MACHIAVELLIAN (adjective)
  The adjective MACHIAVELLIAN has 1 sense:

1. of or relating to Machiavelli or the principles of conduct he recommended

  Familiarity information: MACHIAVELLIAN used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MACHIAVELLIAN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A follower of Machiavelli's principles

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("Machiavellian" is a kind of...):

follower (a person who accepts the leadership of another)

• MACHIAVELLIAN (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to Machiavelli or the principles of conduct he recommended

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

Machiavellian thinking

Pertainym:

Machiavelli (a statesman of Florence who advocated a strong central government (1469-1527))

Machiavellianism (the political doctrine of Machiavelli: any means (however unscrupulous) can be used by a ruler in order to create and maintain his autocratic government)

Derivation:

Machiavelli (a statesman of Florence who advocated a strong central government (1469-1527))