fawn 1
(fôn)intr.v. fawned, fawn·ing, fawns
1. To exhibit affection or attempt to please, as a dog does by wagging its tail, whining, or cringing.
2. To seek favor or attention by flattery and obsequious behavior.
[Middle English faunen, from Old English fagnian, to rejoice, from fagen, fægen, glad.]
fawn′er n.
fawn′ing·ly adv.
Synonyms: fawn1, bootlick, kowtow, slaver1, toady, truckle
These verbs mean to seek or gain favor by behaving obsequiously and submissively: fawned on her superior; bootlicked to get a promotion; lawyers kowtowing to a judge; slavered over his rich uncle; toadying to members of the club; nobles truckling to the king.
These verbs mean to seek or gain favor by behaving obsequiously and submissively: fawned on her superior; bootlicked to get a promotion; lawyers kowtowing to a judge; slavered over his rich uncle; toadying to members of the club; nobles truckling to the king.
fawn 2
(fôn)n.
1. A young deer, especially one less than a year old.
2. A grayish yellow-brown to moderate reddish brown.
[Middle English, from Old French foun, faon, feon, young animal, from Vulgar Latin *fētō, *fētōn-, from Latin fētus, offspring; see dhē(i)- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
fawner - someone who humbles himself as a sign of respect; who behaves as if he had no self-respect