a person who uses flattery to win favour from individuals wielding influence; toady
Derived forms
sycophancy (ˈsycophancy)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Latin sӯcophanta, from Greek sukophantēs, literally: the person showing a fig, apparently referring to the fig sign used inmaking an accusation, from sukon fig + phainein to show; sense probably developed from 'accuser' to 'informer, flatterer'