Lackey

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈlæ.ki/
• Rhymes: -æki

Alternative forms

• lacquey (verb only)

Origin

Middle French laquais, which is probably (via Old Provencal lacai?) from Spanish lacayo, itself perhaps from Italian lacchè and Greek λακές, from Turkish ulak. Another possibility is through French, from Catalan alacay, from Arabic القاضي (al-qāḍī, "magistrate"). See French laquais.

Full definition of lackey

Noun

1. A footman, a liveried male servant.
2. A fawning, servile follower; a lickspittle.

Derived terms

• lackey caterpillar
• lackey moth

Verb

1. (transitive) To attend, wait upon, serve obsequiously
• MiltonA thousand liveried angels lackey her.
2. (intransitive, obsolete) To toady, play the flunky