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fawner

 - 4 dictionary results

fawn

1  [fawn]
Use fawner in a Sentence
–noun
1. a young deer, esp. an unweaned one.
2. a light yellowish-brown color.
–adjective
3. light yellowish-brown.
–verb (used without object)
4. (of a doe) to bring forth young.
Origin:
1225–75; ME fawn, foun < MF faon, foun, feon ≪ VL *fētōn-, s. of *fētō offspring, deriv. of L fētus fetus

Related forms:
fawnlike, adjective

fawn

2  [fawn]
–verb (used without object)
1. to seek notice or favor by servile demeanor: The courtiers fawned over the king.
2. (of a dog) to behave affectionately.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME fawnen, OE fagnian, var. of fægnian to rejoice, make glad, deriv. of fægen happy; see fain

Related forms:
fawner, noun
fawn⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
fawn⋅ing⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. toady, truckle, flatter, kowtow.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To fawner
fawn 1   (fôn)   
intr.v.   fawned, fawn·ing, fawns

  1. To exhibit affection or attempt to please, as a dog does by wagging its tail, whining, or cringing.

  2. To seek favor or attention by flattery and obsequious behavior.


[Middle English faunen, from Old English fagnian, to rejoice, from fagen, fægen, glad.]
fawn'er n., fawn'ing·ly adv.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to curry favor by behaving obsequiously and submissively: fawned on her superior; students apple-polishing the teacher; bootlicked to get a promotion; lawyers kowtowing to a judge; slavered over his rich uncle; toadying to members of the club; nobles truckling to the king.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

fawn  (n.)
1274, from O.Fr. faon "young animal," from V.L. *fetonem, acc. of *feto, from L. fetus "an offspring" (see fetus). Still used of the young of any animal in K.J.V., but mainly of deer from 15c. Color use is 1881.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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