Sycophant — 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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Sycophant — 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;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Sycophant — Syc o*phant, v. i. To play the sycophant. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
sycophant — index parasite Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
sycophant — 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… … Etymology dictionary
sycophant — *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) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
sycophant — [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;… … New thesaurus
sycophant — ► 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… … English terms dictionary
sycophant — [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… … English World dictionary
Sycophant — 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… … Wikipedia
sycophant — UK [ˈsɪkəfənt] / US noun [countable] Word forms sycophant : singular sycophant plural sycophants formal an insulting word for someone who praises rich or powerful people in order to gain an advantage Derived words: sycophancy UK [ˈsɪkəfənsɪ] / US … English dictionary
