sycophancy

  • 1Sycophancy — 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

  • 2sycophancy — 1620s, from L. sycophantia, from Gk. sykophantia, from sykophantes (see SYCOPHANT (Cf. sycophant)) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 3sycophancy — [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

  • 4Sycophancy — 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

  • 5sycophancy — [[t]sɪ̱kəfænsi, AM fənsi[/t]] N UNCOUNT (disapproval) Sycophancy is the quality or action of being sycophantic. [FORMAL] …

    English dictionary

  • 6sycophancy — 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

  • 7sycophancy — noun Date: 1637 obsequious flattery; also the character or behavior of a sycophant …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 8sycophancy — /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&#8230; …

    Universalium

  • 9sycophancy — noun The fawning behavior of a sycophant; servile flattery …

    Wiktionary

  • 10sycophancy — 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