gnathonic

American

[na-thon-ik] / næˈθɒn ɪk /

adjective

sycophantic; fawning.

gnathonic British

/ næˈθɒnɪk /

adjective

literary deceitfully flattering; sycophantic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

gnathonically adverb

Etymology

Origin of gnathonic

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin gnathōnicus, derivative of Gnathōn- (stem of Gnathō ) name of a sycophantic character in the Roman comedy Eunuchus by Terence; see -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"That Jack's is somewhat of a gnathonic and parasitic soul, or stomach, all Bideford apple-women know; but I suspect more than Deus Venter has brought him hither."

From Westward Ho!, or, the voyages and adventures of Sir Amyas Leigh, Knight, of Burrough, in the county of Devon, in the reign of her most glorious majesty Queen Elizabeth by Kingsley, Charles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023