||Sy*co"nes (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a fig.] (Zoöl.) A division of
||calcareous sponges.
They usually resemble a fig, being vase-shaped with a fringed opening
at the summit. The feeding cells are in ampullæ connected with radial
tubes in the thickened walls of the body.
{ ||Sy*co"ni*um (?), ||Sy*co"nus (?), } n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; the fig.]
(Bot.) A collective fleshy fruit, in which the ovaries are hidden
within a hollow receptacle, as in the fig.
Syc"o*phan*cy (?), n. [Cf. L. sycophantia deceit, Gr. &?; false
accusation.] The character or characteristic of a sycophant. Hence: -
(a) False accusation; calumniation; talebearing. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
(b) Obsequious flattery; servility.
The sycophancy of A.Philips had prejudiced Mr. Addison against
Pope.
Bp. Warburton.
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.