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Where does “sycophant” come from?

Sycophant comes from Latin sycophanta, from Ancient Greek συκοφάντης, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root bʰeh₂- meaning "to shine" or "appear."

sycophant (English): One who uses obsequious compliments to gain...

Definitions

  1. One who uses obsequious compliments to gain...

Ancestry of “sycophant”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinsȳcophanta—
2Ancient Greekσυκοφάντηςinformant, denouncer; professional swindler
3Ancient GreekφαίνωI cause to appear, bring to light; I show,...
4English-typeimpressed form; stamp; print; typical form; Used...
5Ancient GreekτύποςA blow, pressing; The results of a blow: mark,...
6Ancient Greekτύπτωto beat, strike, smite; to beat, strike oneself
7Proto-Indo-European(s)tewp-to push, to stick
8Proto-Indo-European(s)tew-to push, to hit

Words derived from “sycophant”

  • sycophantic
  • sycophancy
  • sycophantically
  • sycophantish
  • sycophantism
  • sycophantry
  • unsycophantic
  • sycophantly
  • sycophantishly
  • sycophantize
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)tew- →