n. & v. (also lacquey)
n. (pl. -eys) 1 derog. a a servile political follower. b an obsequious parasitical person. 2 a a (usu. liveried) footman or manservant. b a servant.
v.tr. (-eys, -eyed) archaic behave servilely to; dance attendance on. lackey moth a moth, Malacosoma neustria, developing from a brightly striped caterpillar.
[ F laquais, obs. alaquais f. Cat. alacay = Sp. ALCALDE ]