Definition of Sicophant

Definition of Sicophant

Syc"o*phant (?), n. [L. sycophanta a slanderer, deceiver, parasite, Gr. &?; a false accuser, false adviser, literally, a fig shower; &?; a fig + &?; to show: cf. F. sycophante. The reason for the name is not certainly known. See Phenomenon.] 1. An informer; a talebearer. [Obs.] "Accusing sycophants, of all men, did best sort to his nature." Sir P. Sidney.

2. A base parasite; a mean or servile flatterer; especially, a flatterer of princes and great men.

A sycophant will everything admire:
Each verse, each sentence, sets his soul on fire.

Dryden.

Syc"o*phant (?), v. t. [CF. L. sycophantari to deceive, to trick, Gr. &?;.] 1. To inform against; hence, to calumniate. [Obs.]

Sycophanting and misnaming the work of his adversary.

Milton.

2. To play the sycophant toward; to flatter obsequiously.

Syc"o*phant, v. i. To play the sycophant.

2. A base parasite; a mean or servile flatterer; especially, a flatterer of princes and great men.

A sycophant will everything admire:
Each verse, each sentence, sets his soul on fire.

Dryden.

Syc"o*phant (?), v. t. [CF. L. sycophantari to deceive, to trick, Gr. &?;.] 1. To inform against; hence, to calumniate. [Obs.]

Sycophanting and misnaming the work of his adversary.

Milton.

2. To play the sycophant toward; to flatter obsequiously.

Syc"o*phant, v. i. To play the sycophant.

- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

SYCOPHANT, n. One who approaches Greatness on his belly so that he
may not be commanded to turn and be kicked. He is sometimes an
editor.

As the lean leech, its victim found, is pleased
To fix itself upon a part diseased
Till, its black hide distended with bad blood,
It drops to die of surfeit in the mud,
So the base sycophant with joy descries
His neighbor's weak spot and his mouth applies,
Gorges and prospers like the leech, although,
Unlike that reptile, he will not let go.
Gelasma, if it paid you to devote
Your talent to the service of a goat,
Showing by forceful logic that its beard
Is more than Aaron's fit to be revered;
If to the task of honoring its smell
Profit had prompted you, and love as well,
The world would benefit at last by you
And wealthy malefactors weep anew --
Your favor for a moment's space denied
And to the nobler object turned aside.
Is't not enough that thrifty millionaires
Who loot in freight and spoliate in fares,
Or, cursed with consciences that bid them fly
To safer villainies of darker dye,
Forswearing robbery and fain, instead,
To steal (they call it "cornering") our bread
May see you groveling their boots to lick
And begging for the favor of a kick?
Still must you follow to the bitter end
Your sycophantic disposition's trend,
And in your eagerness to please the rich
Hunt hungry sinners to their final ditch?
In Morgan's praise you smite the sounding wire,
And sing hosannas to great Havemeyher!
What's Satan done that him you should eschew?
He too is reeking rich -- deducting you.

- 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

One who uses compliments to gain self-serving favor or advantage from another.

- The Nuttall Encyclopedia

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The correct Spelling of this word is: Sycophant

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