Obs. exc. arch. [See MONGER1.] A contemptuous designation for: A projector of political constitutions; a pretender to political science.
1616. J. Lane, Contn. Sqr.’s T., IV. 375. Some mockd at somme, for state-mongers absurd, till scarce one of them all had one wise word.
1622. Ld. Keeper Williams, Lett., 17 Sept., in Cabala (1654), 111. I would therefore see the most subtile State-monger in the world chalk out a way for his Majestie to mediate for Grace, and favour for the Protestants.
1678. Butler, Hud., III. ii. 999. This said; the impatient States-monger Could now contain himself no longer.
1682. D’Urfey, Butler’s Ghost, 125. He finding that the warpt Statemonger Would preach his Canting Treason longer, Resolv’d [etc.].
1816. Southey, Ess. (1832), I. 347. The old balsam of memory should be prescribed for such state-mongers.
[1844. Disraeli, Coningsby, II. i. The Arch-Mediocrity … though not a statesman, might be classed among those whom the Lord Keeper Williams used to call ‘statemongers.’]
