A.Word.A.Day		About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us

Home Today's Word Yesterday's Word Archives FAQ

A.Word.A.Day--gnathonic gnathonic (na-THON-ik) adjective Sycophantic; fawning. [From Latin gnathonicus, derivative of Gnathon- (stem of Gnatho) name of a sycophantic character in the Roman comedy Eunuchus by Terence.] "And that's why today any myrmidon, any gnathonic sycophant, any obsequious assistant or menial hanger-on is called a toadeater or, more often, a toady." Michael Gartner, Words, Newsday, Dec 27, 1987. This week's theme: Fictional characters who live on in the dictionary X-Bonus A man there was, tho' some did count him mad / The more he cast away, the more he had. -John Bunyan, preacher (1628-1688) [Pilgrim's Progress]

Sign-up: Subscribe Gift Subscription Address Change Unsubscribe