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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Syc"o*phant, v. i.
To play the sycophant.
© Webster 1913.