Syc"o*phant (?), n. [L.
sycophanta a slanderer, deceiver, parasite, Gr. ? a false
accuser, false adviser, literally, a fig shower; ? a fig + ? to
show: cf. F. sycophante. The reason for the name is not
certainly known. See Phenomenon.] 1. An
informer; a talebearer. [Obs.] "Accusing sycophants, of
all men, did best sort to his nature." Sir P. Sidney.
2. A base parasite; a mean or servile
flatterer; especially, a flatterer of princes and great men.
A sycophant will everything admire:
Each verse, each sentence, sets his soul on fire.
Dryden.Syc"o*phant (?), v. t. [CF. L.
sycophantari to deceive, to trick, Gr. ?.] 1.
To inform against; hence, to calumniate. [Obs.]
Sycophanting and misnaming the work of his
adversary.
Milton.
2. To play the sycophant toward; to flatter
obsequiously.
Syc"o*phant, v. i. To play the
sycophant.