Pander

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈpandÉ™/ or
• US IPA: /ˈpændÉš/
• non-rhotic accents Homophones: panda

Alternative forms

• pandar

Origin

From Chaucer’s character Pandare (in Troilus and Criseyde), from Italian Pandaro (found in ), from Latin Pandarus, from Ancient Greek Πάνδαρος. (See also Shakespeare’s ).

Full definition of pander

Noun

1. A person who furthers the illicit love-affairs of others; a pimp or procurer, especially when male. (Later panderer.)
• 1992, Moncrieff/Kilmartin/Enright, translating Marcel Proust, Swann’s Way, Folio Society 2005, p. 190:It was not only the brilliant phalanx of virtuous dowagers, generals and academicians with whom he was most intimately associated that Swann so cynically compelled to serve him as panders.
2. An offer of illicit sex with a third party.
3. An illicit or illegal offer, usually to tempt.
4. (by extension) One who ministers to the evil designs and passions of another.
• BurkeThose wicked panders to avarice and ambition.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To offer illicit sex with a third party; to pimp.
2. (intransitive) To tempt with, to appeal or cater to (improper motivations etc.); to assist in the gratification of.His latest speech simply seems to pander to the worst instincts of the electorate.

Related terms

• demagogism