Sycophant

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsɪkÉ™fænt/, /ˈsɪkÉ™fÉ™nt/

Origin

First attested in 1537. From Latin sȳcophanta ("informer, trickster"), from Ancient Greek συκοφάντης, itself from σῦκον (sukon, "fig") + φαίνω (phainō, "I show, demonstrate"). The gesture of "showing the fig" was a vulgar one, which was made by sticking the thumb between two fingers, a display which vaguely resembles a fig, which is itself symbolic of a σῦκον (sukon), which also meant vulva. The story behind this etymology is that politicians in ancient Greece steered clear of displaying that vulgar gesture, but urged their followers sub rosa to taunt their opponents by using it.

Full definition of sycophant

Noun

1. One who uses obsequious compliments to gain self-serving favor or advantage from another; a servile flatterer.
• DrydenA sycophant will everything admire:
  Each verse, each sentence, sets his soul on fire.
2. One who seeks to gain through the powerful and influential.
3. (obsolete) An informer; a talebearer.
• Sir Philip SidneyAccusing sycophants, of all men, did best sort to his nature.

Synonyms

• (one who uses compliments to gain favor) ass-kisser, brown noser, suck up, yes man
• (one who seeks to gain through the powerful) parasite, flunky, lackey

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To inform against; hence, to calumniate.
• MiltonSycophanting and misnaming the work of his adversary.
2. (transitive) To play the sycophant toward; to flatter obsequiously.