Svengali definition

svĕn-gälē, sfĕn-

Words form:

See word origin

Frequency:

A person who manipulates or controls another, especially by force of personality for malicious purposes.

noun

3

1

A person who dominates or manipulates another, esp. with evil intentions.

noun

1

1

One who manipulates or controls another as by some mesmeric or sinister influence; especially a coach, mentor or industry mogul.

noun

1

1

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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:

svengali

Plural:

svengalis

Origin of svengali

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

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Named from a character in George du Maurier's novel Trilby.

From Wiktionary