éminence grise

[ French ey-mee-nahns greez ]

noun

, plural é·mi·nences grises [ey-mee-nah, n, s , greez].

1. gray eminence.

éminence grise

/ eminɑ̃s ɡriz /

noun

1. a person who wields power and influence unofficially or behind the scenes

éminence grise

1. A person who wields power behind the scenes: “The king's brother-in-law is his éminence grise; he has enormous influence, though he is rarely in the public eye.” A French term meaning “gray eminence.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of éminence grise¹

From French

Word History and Origins

Origin of éminence grise¹

C19: literally: grey eminence, originally applied to Père Joseph (François Le Clerc du Tremblay; died 1638), French monk, secretary of Cardinal Richelieu

Example Sentences

“Mr. de la Renta is far more a hot dog than an eminence grise of American fashion” Horyn wrote in her review.

From The Daily Beast

Former Ambassador Robert Blackwill, a foreign-policy eminence grise, wishes to divide Afghanistan.

From The Daily Beast