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; -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.

Words that the contestants slipped up on included "ascetic," to describe austerity or self-denial; "blasé," to be apathetic to pleasure or excitement; and "gnathonic," to mean fawning.

From Reuters

Gnathonic, -al, n�-thon′ik, -al, adj. flattering.

From Project Gutenberg

"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 Project Gutenberg

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