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. “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.