gray eminence

noun

1. a person who wields unofficial power, especially through another person and often surreptitiously or privately.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gray eminence¹

1940–45; translation of French éminence grise

When To Use

What does gray eminence mean?

Gray eminence is a term for a person who wields power in an unofficial capacity or who influences things behind the scenes, mostly or completely out of public view.The term is an English translation of the more commonly used éminence grise. The spelling grey eminence is also used.The terms are usually used in the context of politics and are typically applied to someone who wields power through another person who holds an official position. The term often implies that the person is doing this secretly or in an unauthorized or otherwise shadowy way.The terms are most often applied by the media or by those who are critical of such influence.Example: The press is calling him a gray eminence and implying that he is the one orchestrating things behind the scenes.