Word of the Day 8.19.08

Sven·ga·li (svn-gäl, sfn-)

n. pl. Sven·ga·lis

A person who, with evil intent, tries to persuade another to do what is desired: “a crafty Svengali who lures talented people with grand promises yet gives them little lasting operational authority” Chris Welles.

[After Svengali, the hypnotist villain in the novel Trilby by George du Maurier.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun

1.

Svengali – someone (usually maleficent) who tries to persuade or force another person to do his bidding

persuader, inducer – someone who tries to persuade or induce or lead on

2.

Svengali – the musician in a novel by George du Maurier who controls Trilby’s singing hypnotically

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

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Posted on August 19, 2008 by admin

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