Svengali
a person who completely dominates another, usually with selfish or sinister motives.
Origin of Svengali
1Words Nearby Svengali
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use Svengali in a sentence
But one look at the film is enough to dispel all notions of Svengali.
The Legend With The Look: Remembering Lauren Bacall | Teo Bugbee | August 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWell, he was no Svengali, no alchemist and, obviously, they would have happened without him.
What It Was Like to Watch the Beatles Become the Beatles—Nik Cohn Remembers | Nik Cohn | February 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTLike One Direction, The Shirelles were groomed by an industry Svengali.
Why Grown-Ups Should Give One Direction a Chance | Andrew Romano | November 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTJust after Presley's death on August 16, 1977, his Svengali-like manager, Col. Tom Parker, was asked for a comment.
Clarke was terrible when he said it—he is a regular Svengali, I believe, and the mother is completely dominated by him.
The Tyranny of the Dark | Hamlin Garland
Frohman was curiously fascinated by "Bengali," as he insisted upon calling Svengali.
Charles Frohman: Manager and Man | Isaac Frederick Marcosson and Daniel FrohmanThat the story of Svengali and of Trilby's voice is a good story only a duffer would deny.
Adventures in Criticism | Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch"It is called the 'Rosemonde' of Schubert, matemoiselle," replied Svengali.
Trilby | George Du MaurierNobody knew exactly how Svengali lived, and very few knew where (or why).
Trilby | George Du Maurier
British Dictionary definitions for Svengali
/ (svɛnˈɡɑːlɪ) /
a person who controls another's mind, usually with sinister intentions
Origin of Svengali
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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