— Damoclean /dam'euh klee"euhn/ , adj.
/dam"euh kleez'/ , n.
1. a flatterer who, having extolled the happiness of Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse, was seated at a banquet with a sword suspended over his head by a single hair to show him the perilous nature of that happiness.
2. sword of Damocles , any situation threatening imminent harm or disaster.