Also 6 (sicophanta), sichophant, 6–7 scico-, sico-, 7 sicco-, scyco-, 7–8 sycho- (9 syko-). [ad. L. sȳcophanta, ad. Gr. σῡκοφάντης, f. σῦκον fig + φαν-, root of φαίνειν to show. (Cf. F. sycophante (16th c.), † sichophant, It., Sp. sicofanta, Pg. sycophanta.)
The origin of the Gr. word, lit. = ‘fig-shower,’ has not been satisfactorily accounted for. The explanation, long current, that it orig. meant an informer against the unlawful exportation of figs cannot be substantiated. It is possible that the term referred orig. to the gesture of ‘making a fig’ or had an obscene implication: cf. FIG sb.2 (See Boisacq, Dict. Étym. de la langue grecque.)]
1. Gr. Hist. One of a class of informers in ancient Athens: see quots. and etymology above.
1579–80. North, Plutarch (1595), 101 (Solon). Wee may not altogether discredite those which say, they did forbid in the olde time that men should carie figges out of the countrie of Attica, and that from thence it came that these picke thankes, which bewray and accuse them that transported figges, were called Sycophantes.
1656. Stanley, Hist. Philos., V. (1701), 171/1. Crobulus the Sycophant met him, accompanying Chabrias to the Tower, and said unto him, Do you come to help others, you know not that the poyson of Socrates is reserved for you?
1748. Hume, Ess., Inq. Hum. Underst., xi. If Epicurus had been accused before the people by any of the sycophants or informers of those days.
1838. Twirlwall, Greece, xxxi. IV. 181. A class of men who were universally odious,… the informers, or sycophants as they were called at Athens, who had perverted the laws [etc.].
† 2. transf. and fig. An informer, tale-bearer, malicious accuser; a calumniator, traducer, slanderer. Obs.
[1537. Cromwell in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), II. 84. Whereas Michael Throgmerton … hathe … taken vppon him … to become bothe a Sicophanta in Writing and a most vnkynde deuiser … of thinges most … traytorous against hys sayd Souereigne lorde.]
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 2 b. He … was very glad (as tell tales and scicophantes bee …) to declare to the kyng what he had heard.
1561. B. Googe, trans. Palingenius’ Zodiac of Life, To Rdr. Who can scape the poisened lips of slandrous sicophants?
1612. T. Taylor, Comm. Titus iii. 2. (1619), 568. As sychophants who make the scapes of men farre greater then they are.
1697. Potter, Antiq. Greece, I. xxi. (1715), 122. Gave Occasion to ill-natur’d and malicious Men, to accuse all Persons they caught transgressing the Letter of it; and from them all busy Informers have ever since been branded with the Name of Sycophants.
3. A mean, servile, cringing, or abject flatterer; a parasite, toady, lickspittle.
1575. Gascoigne, Glasse Govt., Prol. 18. What subtile snares these Sycophantes can use.
a. 1633. Austin, Medit. (1635), 224. Such is his [sc. the Pope’s] power, attributed to him by his Sycophants that there can bee no Saints but of his making!
1702. Rowe, Tamerl., I. i. A noble Freedom … unknown to fawning Sycophants.
1736. Bolingbroke, Patriot. (1749), 139. Crowds of spies, parasites and sycophants, will surround the throne under the patronage of such ministers.
1843. Prescott, Mexico, II. i. (1850), I. 183. The young monarch was accompanied by a swarm of courtly sycophants.
1877. Mrs. Oliphant, Makers Flor., x. 252. The real sentiments of this great prince … were very different from those of his sycophants.
† 4. Vaguely used for: Impostor, deceiver. Obs.
1589. [? Nashe], Almond for Parrat, 16. Am not I old Ille ego qui quondam at ye besleeuing of a sichophant?
1606. Chapman, Gentl. Usher, V. I 4 b. Presumptuous Sicophant, I will have thy life.
1651. Wittie, trans. Primrose’s Pop. Err., 163. The good man Daniel Sennertus,… being deceived by a Germane sycophant.
1653. Gataker, Vind. Annot. Jer., 13. It is not any spurious or seditious doctrine in their Teachers, by this foul-mouthed Sycophant, so falsely fathered upon Calvin.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., Sycophant,… the Term became used … at last, for a Lyer, Imposter, &c.
5. Comb., as sycophant-like adj.
1601. B. Jonson, Poetaster, V. iii. 112. An honest sycophantlike slaue.
1627. [R. Niccols], Beggers Ape, B 3. With Sycophantlike trickes, hee tooke delight, With euery Iacke to play the Parasite.
B. attrib. or adj. Sycophantic.
1692. E. Walker, trans. Epictetus’ Mor., In praise Epictetus. The bended knee Of Sycophant Servility.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 25 March 1657. The Protector,… now affecting Kingship, is petition’d to take the Title on him by all his new-made sycophant Lords.
1747. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), II. xxvi. 169. A sycophant creature.
1763. Wilkes, Corr. (1805), I. 236. This sycophant court language.
1847. C. Brontë, Jane Eyre, Pref. to ed. 2. Ahab did not like Micaiah, because he never prophesied good concerning him…: probably he liked the sycophant son of Chenaannah better.
