\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.