lackey

lackey
lackey (n.) 1520s, "footman, running footman, valet," from M.Fr. laquais "foot soldier, footman, servant" (15c.), of unknown origin; perhaps from O.Prov. lacai, from lecai "glutton, covetous," from lecar "to lick." Alternative etymology is via French from Catalan alacay, from Arabic al-qadi "the judge." Yet another guess traces it through Sp. lacayo, from It. lacchè, from Mod.Gk. oulakes, from Turk. ulak "runner, courier." This suits the original sense better, but OED says It. lacchè is from French. Sense of "servile follower" appeared 1580s. As a political term of abuse it dates from 1939 in communist jargon.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lackey — Lack ey, n.; pl. {Lackeys}. [F. laquais; cf. Sp. & Pg. lacayo; of uncertain origin; perh. of German origin, and akin to E. lick, v.] An attending male servant; a footman; a servile follower. [1913 Webster] Like a Christian footboy or a gentleman… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lackey — [lak′ē] n. pl. lackeys [Fr laquais, a lackey, soldier < Catalan alacay < Sp lacayo, lackey, footman < OSp alcayaz < Ar alqā īd: see ALCAIDE] 1. a male servant of low rank, usually in some sort of livery or uniform 2. a follower who… …   English World dictionary

  • Lackey — Lack ey, v. t. To attend as a lackey; to wait upon. [1913 Webster] A thousand liveried angels lackey her. Milton. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lackey — Lack ey, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Lackeyed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Lackeying}.] To act or serve as lackey; to pay servile attendance. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lackey — meaning ‘an obsequious parasite’, has the plural form lackeys …   Modern English usage

  • lackey — [n] servant attendant, butler, domestic, doormat, drudge, factotum, flunkey, retainer, steward, subordinate, toady, underling, valet, yes person; concept 348 …   New thesaurus

  • lackey — ► NOUN (pl. lackeys) 1) a servant. 2) a servile or obsequious person. ORIGIN French laquais …   English terms dictionary

  • Lackey — Mercedes Lackey Mercedes Misty Lackey (* 25. Juni 1950 in New York City) ist eine US amerikanische Fantasy Schriftstellerin. Bekannt wurde Mercedes Lackey vor allen Dingen für ihre Romane aus ihrer Fantasy Welt Velgarth insbesondere dem… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Lackey — A lackey or lacquey is a term for a uniformed manservant, in its original meaning (attested 1529, according to the OED ).The modern connotation of servile follower appeared later, in 1588 ( OED ). [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=lackey… …   Wikipedia

  • lackey — UK [ˈlækɪ] / US noun [countable] Word forms lackey : singular lackey plural lackeys someone who is too willing to do whatever they are told to do, especially when the person, organization etc being obeyed is much more important or powerful The… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”