| 释义 |
syco·phant
I. \-fənt sometimes -ˌfant or -ˌfaa(ə)nt\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Latin sycophanta, from Greek sykophantēs, from sykon fig + -phantēs (from phainein to reveal, show, make known); perhaps from the use of the gesture of the fig in denouncing a culprit — more at fancy
1. : a slandering accuser : defamer; especially : one of a group of talebearers of ancient Athens
2. : a base or servilely attentive flatterer and self-seeker : toady
< the sycophants were gone, for the outgoing president had nothing to give — W.A.White >
< her children entrusted to the care of court sycophants — Ann F. Wolfe >
< is surrounded by a group of arrogant military sycophants — New Republic >
3. obsolete : liar, deceiver
Synonyms: see parasite
II. verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
transitive verb
obsolete : to traduce or flatter in the manner of a sycophant
intransitive verb
obsolete : to act the sycophant
III. adjective
: sycophantic |