- sycophancy
- sycophancy 1620s, from L. sycophantia, from Gk. sykophantia, from sykophantes (see SYCOPHANT (Cf. sycophant)).
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
sycophancy
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Sycophancy — Syc o*phan*cy, n. [Cf. L. sycophantia deceit, Gr. ? false accusation.] The character or characteristic of a sycophant. Hence: [1913 Webster] (a) False accusation; calumniation; talebearing. [Obs.] Bp. Hall. [1913 Webster] (b) Obsequious flattery; … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
sycophancy — [sik′ə fən sē, sik′əfan΄sē] n. pl. sycophancies [L sycophantia < Gr sykophantia] the behavior or character, or an act, of a sycophant; servile flattery … English World dictionary
Sycophancy — For fawning in the sense of a musical term, see Accarezzévole. Sycophancy means:[1] Obsequious flattery; servility. The character or characteristic of a sycophant. Alternative phrases are often used such as: apple polishing … Wikipedia
sycophancy — [[t]sɪ̱kəfænsi, AM fənsi[/t]] N UNCOUNT (disapproval) Sycophancy is the quality or action of being sycophantic. [FORMAL] … English dictionary
sycophancy — sycophant ► NOUN ▪ a person who flatters someone important in a servile way. DERIVATIVES sycophancy noun sycophantic adjective. ORIGIN originally denoting an informer: from Greek sukophant s, from sukon fig + phainein to show , perhaps with… … English terms dictionary
sycophancy — noun Date: 1637 obsequious flattery; also the character or behavior of a sycophant … New Collegiate Dictionary
sycophancy — /sik euh feuhn see, fan , suy keuh /, n. 1. self seeking or servile flattery. 2. the character or conduct of a sycophant. [1615 25; < L sycophantia trickery < Gk sykophantía dishonest prosecution, equiv. to sykophant (see SYCOPHANT) + ia Y3; see… … Universalium
sycophancy — noun The fawning behavior of a sycophant; servile flattery … Wiktionary
sycophancy — Synonyms and related words: adulation, apple polishing, ass kissing, backbiting, backscratching, backstabbing, belittlement, blandishment, blarney, bootlicking, brown nosing, bunkum, cajolement, cajolery, calumny, compliment, cringing, defamation … Moby Thesaurus
sycophancy — syc·o·phan·cy || sɪkÉ™fÉ™nsɪ / fænsɪ n. excessive flattery, obsequiousness … English contemporary dictionary
