syc|o|phant|ism — «SIHK uh fuhn TIHZ uhm», noun. = sycophancy. (Cf. ↑sycophancy) … Useful english dictionary
sycophant — syc•o•phant [[t]ˈsɪk ə fənt, ˌfænt, ˈsaɪ kə [/t]] n. a self seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite • Etymology: 1530–40; < L sȳcophanta < Gk sȳkophántēs informer =sŷko(n) fig +phan (s. of phaínein to show) + tēs agent suffix syc… … From formal English to slang
sycophant — syc|o|phant [ sıkəfənt ] noun count FORMAL an insulting word for someone who praises rich or powerful people in order to gain an advantage ╾ syc|o|phan|cy [ sıkəfənsi ] noun uncount ╾ syc|o|phan|tic [ ,sıkə fæntık ] adjective: He expects… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
sycophant — syc|o|phant [ˈsıkəfənt] n [Date: 1500 1600; : Latin; Origin: sycophanta someone who tells about the bad actions of another, flatterer , from Greek sykophantes, from sykon fig + phainein to show ] formal someone who praises powerful people too… … Dictionary of contemporary English
Sycophantish — Syc o*phant ish, a. Like a sycophant; obsequiously flattering. {Syc o*phant ish*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster] Sycophantish satirists that forever humor the prevailing folly. De Quincey. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Sycophantishly — Sycophantish Syc o*phant ish, a. Like a sycophant; obsequiously flattering. {Syc o*phant ish*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster] Sycophantish satirists that forever humor the prevailing folly. De Quincey. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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
Sycophantcy — Syc o*phant*cy, n. Sycophancy. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
< Greek s
ántēs informer, slanderer; probably (originally) one who makes the insulting gesture of the “fig,” that is, sticking the thumb between index and middle finger < sykon fig + phaínein to show]