gnathonic

(næˈθɒnɪk) or

gnathonical

adj

(Literary & Literary Critical Terms) literary deceitfully flattering; sycophantic

[C17: from Latin gnathōnicus, from Gnathō, such a character in the Eunuchus, Roman comedy by Terence]

gnaˈthonically adv

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

gna•thon•ic

(neɪˈθɒn ɪk)

adj.

sycophantic; fawning.

[1630–40; < Latin gnathōnicus=Gnathōn-, s. of Gnathō a sycophantic character in the Roman comedy Eunuchus by Terence + -icus -ic]

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References in periodicals archive ?

She was confounded by the silent in the word "gnathonic," which means "marked by exhibiting a fawning attentiveness." Gracious in defeat, she admitted that she did not expect to finish as high as she did, telling reporters, "I just wanted to do better than last year;" when she tied for 59th.