n. [ L. sycophanta a slanderer, deceiver, parasite, Gr. &unr_; a false accuser, false adviser, literally, a fig shower; &unr_; a fig + &unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A base parasite; a mean or servile flatterer; especially, a flatterer of princes and great men. [ 1913 Webster ]

A sycophant will everything admire:
Each verse, each sentence, sets his soul on fire. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ CF. L. sycophantari to deceive, to trick, Gr. &unr_;. ] 1. To inform against; hence, to calumniate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Sycophanting and misnaming the work of his adversary. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To play the sycophant toward; to flatter obsequiously. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To play the sycophant. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Sycophancy. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Cf. Gr. &unr_; slanderous. ] Of or pertaining to a sycophant; characteristic of a sycophant; meanly or obsequiously flattering; courting favor by mean adulation; parasitic. [ 1913 Webster ]

To be cheated and ruined by a sycophantical parasite. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sycophantic servants to the King of Spain. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like a sycophant; obsequiously flattering. -- Syc"o*phant`ish*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

Sycophantish satirists that forever humor the prevailing folly. De Quincey. [1913 Webster]

n. Sycophancy. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To play the sycophant. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Sycophancy. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]