SYCOPHANTS

Noun

sycophants

plural of sycophant

Source: Wiktionary

SYCOPHANT

Syc"o*phant, n. Etym: [L. sycophanta a slanderer, deceiver, parasite, Gr. 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. Etym: [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.

Definition: To play the sycophant.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition