wirepuller

American  

[wahyuhr-pool-er] / ˈwaɪərˌpʊl ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that pulls wires.

2. a person who uses secret means to direct and control the actions of others, especially for selfish ends; intriguer.

3. snake.

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wirepuller British  

/ ˈwaɪəˌpʊlə /

noun

1. a person who uses private or secret influence for his own ends

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Other Word Forms

• wirepulling noun

Etymology

Origin of wirepuller

1825–30, wire + puller ( def. )

Example Sentences

He is seen to be a cold-blooded international tycoon and wirepuller, whose “digger” image is wholly cynical and whose global ruthlessness is a matter for shame.

From BusinessWeek • Jul. 29, 2011

I have never done anything; I have never been a doer, a canvasser, a wirepuller, a manager, in the ordinary sense of these words.

From My Autobiography A Fragment by Müller, F. Max (Friedrich Max)

When, in course of time, he exchanged the functions of physician in ordinary for those of wirepuller in ordinary, he found that the time passed in medical study had not been thrown away.

From Lectures and Essays by Smith, Goldwin

He was known as a "wirepuller," and the other wire-pullers of his party used to meet in his office and discuss matters.

From Beauty and the Beast, and Tales of Home by Taylor, Bayard

He had become the Prince's Secretary, and in Leopold's own words "the most valued physician of his soul and body"—wirepuller, in fact, to the destined wirepuller of Royalty in general.

From Lectures and Essays by Smith, Goldwin