Relating to or describing a bargain where one gains something desirable in exchange for one's soul or moral principles; from the legend of Faust.
From the Faustus legend (from Latin faustus meaning 'fortunate'), particularly popularized by Goethe's play. The character made a pact with the devil, creating this metaphor for morally compromising deals.
The 'Faustian bargain' became such a powerful metaphor that politicians, philosophers, and business leaders still use it today to describe any deal that trades long-term values for short-term gain!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.