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]gnaˈthonicallyadv
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]