TERMIUM Plus®

From: Translation Bureau

On social media

Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.

UNOFFICIAL AGENT [2 records]

Record 1 1990-03-06

English

Subject field(s)
  • Group Dynamics
  • Meetings and Assemblies (Administration)
OBS

éminence grise: nickname of Père Joseph (François Le Clerc du Tremblay) ... French monk and diplomate who was confidant of Cardinal Richelieu ...

DEF

a confidential agent; esp : one exercising unsuspected or unofficial power.

CONT

... a "doctor’s assistant" may fill the group’s need to keep the discussion going when the therapist is playing a rather passive role ...

OBS

The phrase "doctor’s assistant" is adapted and used in a figurative sense.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Dynamique des groupes
  • Réunions et assemblées (Administration)
DEF

"Leader" officieux, ami et conseiller du "leader formel" d'un groupe. Ce terme provient de "l'éminence grise", moine, ami discret et conseiller de Richelieu.

CONT

[...] il arrive que le chef institutionnel (le "responsable" vis-à-vis des échelons supérieurs) n'accomplisse, en fait, qu'un très petit nombre d'actions de leadership, et que se manifestent des "leaders occultes", dont l'importance pratique est loin d'être négligeable.

CONT

Celui qui tire les ficelles: celui qu'on ne voit pas et qui fait agir les autres. "Des gens se font tuer ... Certains ... considèrent ces martyrs comme des pantins dont eux savent tenir en main les ficelles".

Spanish

Save record 1

Record 2 1988-08-08

English

Subject field(s)
  • Occupation Names (General)
  • Insurance

French

Domaine(s)
  • Désignations des emplois (Généralités)
  • Assurances

Spanish

Save record 2

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Features

GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)

Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: