I. ˈfȯn, ˈfän intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English faunen, from Old English fagnian to rejoice, from fægen, fagan glad — more at fain
Date: 13th century
1. : to show affection — used especially of a dog
2. : to court favor by a cringing or flattering manner
• fawn·er noun
• fawn·ing·ly ˈfȯ-niŋ-lē, ˈfä- adverb
Synonyms:
fawn , toady , truckle , cringe , cower mean to behave abjectly before a superior. fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention
waiters fawning over a celebrity
toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude
toadying to his boss
truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior
truckling to a powerful lobbyist
cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility
a cringing sycophant
cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people
cowering before a bully
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English foun, from Anglo-French feun, foon young of an animal, from Vulgar Latin * feton-, feto, from Latin fetus offspring — more at fetus
Date: 14th century
1. : a young deer ; especially : one still unweaned or retaining a distinctive baby coat
2. : kid 1
3. : a light grayish brown
• fawny ˈfȯ-nē, ˈfä- adjective