Adjective

(en adjective)

Attempting to achieve goals by cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous methods, especially in politics or in advancing one's career.

(Iago) is the Machiavellian antagonist in William Shakespeare's play, (Othello).

Related to the philosophical system of .

* 2006 , Mark Vernon, Philosophy and Life , " Plato or Machiavelli",

It is Machiavellian , in the sense that it revolves around the question of how to maintain power.

Adjective

(er)

showing clever resourcefulness in practical matters

artful, tricky or cunning

streetwise

*

knowledgeable

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=November 10 , author=Jeremy Wilson , title=tEngland Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , work=Telegraph citation , page= , passage=The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott. }}

(archaic) Scolding, satirical, sharp.

* 1599 ,

LEONATO. By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.