| 释义 |
† ˈfawnguest Obs.
[? f. fawn v. + guest.
Possibly an etymologizing spelling of some dialect word. Nashe was an East Anglian; can the word be identical with fangast, given by Sir T. Browne without interpretation in his list of words peculiar to that region (Misc. Tr. viii. 146)? Hickes (Ags. Gr. 1689), however, says that in Norfolk a fangast wench meant ‘virginem viro jam nunc maturam et virum quasi expetentem’.]
a. A fawning parasite, a sycophant, toady. Also attrib.
b. One who robs or swindles another under the guise of friendship.
1592Nashe Strange Newes Wks. B iv/1 Nuntius, a Fawneguest Messenger twixt Maister Bird and Maister Demetrius. 1596― Saffron Walden T iii/1 He may be a fawn-guest in his intent neuertheles. 1602Rowlands Greene's Ghost (1880) 15 There be certaine mates called Fawneguests, who..will..say..a friend of yours..gaue me this bowed sixpence to drinke a quart of wine with you for his sake. Ibid., Such Fawneguests were they, that [etc.]. |