sycophant
[sik-uh-fuh nt, -fant, sahy-kuh-]
- a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite.
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Origin of sycophant
1530–40; < Latin sȳcophanta < Greek sȳkophántēs informer, equivalent to sŷko(n) fig + phan- (stem of phaínein to show) + -tēs agentive suffix
Synonyms
See more synonyms for sycophant on Thesaurus.comtoady, yes man, flunky, fawner, flatterer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for sycophant
Contemporary Examples
However reactionary a sycophant to rich people and slasher of programs for others he might be, he is the governor.
Historical Examples
Shakespeare was a sycophant, a flunkey if you will, but nothing worse.
The Man ShakespeareFrank Harris
People will say he was a vulgar parvenu, a sycophant, a snob—heaven knows what.
The Woman Thou Gavest MeHall Caine
The sycophant recognised the arms on the panel and collapsed.
The False ChevalierWilliam Douw Lighthall
"Then a sycophant he is and will remain," said the Alexandrian with a laugh.
A Thorny Path [Per Aspera], CompleteGeorg Ebers
Though, like most of his order, zealous for monarchy, he was no sycophant.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.Thomas Babington Macaulay
sycophant
- a person who uses flattery to win favour from individuals wielding influence; toady
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin sӯcophanta, from Greek sukophantēs, literally: the person showing a fig, apparently referring to the fig sign used in making an accusation, from sukon fig + phainein to show; sense probably developed from ``accuser'' to ``informer, flatterer''
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for sycophant
n.
1530s (in Latin form sycophanta), "informer, talebearer, slanderer," from Latin sycophanta, from Greek 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 two fingers, a display which vaguely resembles a fig, itself symbolic of a vagina (sykon also meant "vulva"). The story goes that prominent politicians in ancient Greece held aloof from such inflammatory gestures, but privately urged their followers to taunt their opponents. The sense of "mean, servile flatterer" is first recorded in English 1570s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper