Category:Sycophant

Syc"o*phant, n. Etym: [l. sycophanta a slanderer, deceiver, parasite, Gr. sycophante. The reason for the name is not certainly known. See Phenomenon.]

1. An informer; a talebearer. [obs.] "accusing sycophants, of all Men, did best sort to his nature." Sir p. Sidney.

2. A base parasite; a mean or servile flatterer; especially, a Flatterer of princes and great men. A sycophant will everything admire: each verse, each sentence, sets His soul on fire. Dryden.

Sycophant Syc"o*phant, v. t. Etym: [cf. L. sycophantari to deceive, to trick, Gr.

1. To inform against; hence, to calumniate. [obs.] Sycophanting and misnaming the work of his adversary. Milton.

2. To play the sycophant toward; to flatter obsequiously.

Sycophant Syc"o*phant, v. i.

Defn: to play the sycophant.