If you describe someone as ~, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to help or agree with someone more important than them.
Barrow was positively ~ to me until he learnt that I too was the son of a labouring man.
= servile
ADJ disapproval
~ly
He smiled and bowed ~ly to Winger.
ADV: ADV with v
~ness
I told him to get lost and leave me alone and his tone quickly changed from ~ness to outright anger.
N-UNCOUNT