sycophant
1Sycophant — Syc o*phant, n. [L. sycophanta a slanderer, deceiver, parasite, Gr. ? a false accuser, false adviser, literally, a fig shower; ? a fig + ? to show: cf. F. sycophante. The reason for the name is not certainly known. See {Phenomenon}.] 1. An… …
2Sycophant — Syc o*phant, v. t. [CF. L. sycophantari to deceive, to trick, Gr. ?.] 1. To inform against; hence, to calumniate. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Sycophanting and misnaming the work of his adversary. Milton. [1913 Webster] 2. To play the sycophant toward;… …
3Sycophant — Syc o*phant, v. i. To play the sycophant. [1913 Webster] …
4sycophant — index parasite Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …
5sycophant — 1530s (in L. form sycophanta), informer, talebearer, slanderer, from L. sycophanta, from Gk. sykophantes, originally one who shows the fig, from sykon fig + phanein to show. Showing the fig was a vulgar gesture made by sticking the thumb between… …
6sycophant — *parasite, favorite, toady, lickspittle, bootlicker, hanger on, leech, sponge, sponger Analogous words: blandisher, cajoler, wheedler (see corresponding verbs at COAX): fawner, truckler (see corresponding verbs at FAWN) …
7sycophant — [n] person who caters to another adulator, backscratcher*, backslapper*, bootlicker*, brownnoser*, doormat*, fan, fawner, flatterer, flunky*, groupie*, groveler, handshaker*, hanger on*, lackey, minion, parasite, politician, puppet, slave;… …
8sycophant — ► NOUN ▪ a person who flatters someone important in a servile way. DERIVATIVES sycophancy noun sycophantic adjective. ORIGIN originally denoting an informer: from Greek sukophant s, from sukon fig + phainein to show , perhaps with reference to… …
9sycophant — [sik′ə fənt, sik′əfant΄] n. [L sycophanta < Gr sykophantēs, informer, lit., maker of the sign of the fig < sykon, fig + phainein, to show: see FANTASY] a person who seeks favor by flattering people of wealth or influence; parasite; toady… …
10Sycophant — A sycophant (from the Greek συκοφάντης sykophántēs ) is a servile person who, acting in his or her own self interest, attempts to win favor by flattering one or more influential persons, with an undertone that these actions are executed at the… …
