† gnathonicaladj.
Obsolete.
Resembling Gnatho or his proceedings; parasitical, toad-eating.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > servile flattery or currying favour > [adjective]
fikingc1230
papelarda1500
gnathonical1540
clawing1574
pickthank1575
slavering1575
claw-back1577
courting1580
fawning1585
adulatory1587
insinuating1592
insinuative1592
scraping1599
adulatorious1612
men-pleasing1615
pickthanking1621
sycophantical1632
gnathonic1637
insinuanta1639
sycophantizing1640
ingratiating1642
led1672
sycophanting1674
sycophantly1680
sycophanta1684
sycophantica1698
pickthankly1702
assiduous1725
foot-licking1786
tuft-hunting1789
sycophantish1821
favour-currying1831
bootlicking1849
toadying1863
creepy-crawly1890
slauming1904
toadyish1909
ass-licking1940
ass-kissing1942
brown-nosing1946
arse-licking1950
sucky1991
1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus Comedye of Acolastus iv. ii. sig. Sij The chiefe or principal honour of the gnathonical sect.
a1592 R. Greene Hist. Orlando Furioso (1594) sig. C Knowing hym to be a Thrasonicall mad-cap, they haue sent mee a Gnathonicall companion, to giue him lettice fit for his lips.
1604 Bp. W. Barlow Summe Conf. at Hampton Court To Rdr. Whome it might haue pleased, without his Gnathonical appeale to haue rested in his Maiesties determination.
1631 S. Jerome Arraignem. Whole Creature vii. 52 Bee not uncased, out of your lands, your livings..by such gnatonicall Conny- (money) catchers.
1721–1800 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Gnathonical, flattering, deceitful in Words, soothing a Person's Humour to get by him.
Derivatives
ΚΠ
1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. X3 I hope there be some Bishops..doo disdaine their high Calling should be so Gnathonically compar'd.
1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. Gnathonically, flatteringly.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1540