Lexic.us

Definition of Svengali

1. Noun. Someone (usually maleficent) who tries to persuade or force another person to do his bidding.

2. Noun. The musician in a novel by George du Maurier who controls Trilby's singing hypnotically.

Definition of Svengali

1. Noun. One who manipulates or controls another as by some mesmeric or sinister influence; especially a coach, mentor or industry mogul. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Svengali

svarajes svarita svaritas svastika svastikas svcs svedbergs sveite svelt svelte

sveltely svelteness sveltenesses svelter sveltest svengali (current term) svengalis sverdrup sverdrups sverigeite

svl svn svyatoslavite svyazhinite swab swabbed swabber swabbers swabbie swabbies

Literary usage of Svengali

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Mind (1902)
"A NEW YORK "svengali." WHEN a man of the intellectual and professional standing of John D. Quackenbos, MD, of Columbia University, lends his indorsement to ..."

2. The Great English Novelists by Coningsby W. Dawson (1911)
"svengali! ne me battez pas, mon ami—je fais tout ce que je peux!" On which little Gecko had suddenly jumped up and struck svengali on the neck near the ..."

3. Frilby: An Operatic Burlesque by Minott E. Robinson, Frederic Almy, Walter Cary, John Bartow Olmsted, Carleton Sprague (1895)
"svengali. And that's a wonder that few here have ever yet beheld. BILLEE. ... svengali. If you would have the proper accent in Paree to shine. BILLEE. ..."

4. The Bookman (1915)
"Then the next day he sees her. riding in the Champs Elysées by the side of svengali and she stares at him with the cold stare of disdain; and later in a ..."

5. Mind (1902)
"A NEW YORK "svengali." WHEN a man of the intellectual and professional standing of John D. Quackenbos, MD, of Columbia University, lends his indorsement to ..."

6. The Great English Novelists by Coningsby W. Dawson (1911)
"svengali! ne me battez pas, mon ami—je fais tout ce que je peux!" On which little Gecko had suddenly jumped up and struck svengali on the neck near the ..."

7. Frilby: An Operatic Burlesque by Minott E. Robinson, Frederic Almy, Walter Cary, John Bartow Olmsted, Carleton Sprague (1895)
"svengali. And that's a wonder that few here have ever yet beheld. BILLEE. ... svengali. If you would have the proper accent in Paree to shine. BILLEE. ..."

8. The Bookman (1915)
"Then the next day he sees her. riding in the Champs Elysées by the side of svengali and she stares at him with the cold stare of disdain; and later in a ..."

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