/ ˈsɪkəfænt; NAmE / noun
( formal , disapproving ) a person who praises important or powerful people too much and in a way that is not sincere, especially in order to get sth from them
► syco·phancy / ˈsɪkəfənsi; NAmE / noun [ U ]
► syco·phan·tic / ˌsɪkəˈfæntɪk; NAmE / adjective :
a sycophantic review
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (denoting an informer): from French sycophante , or via Latin from Greek sukophantēs informer, from sukon fig + phainein to show, perhaps with reference to making the insulting gesture of the “fig” (sticking the thumb between two fingers) to informers.