Main Entry: ¹fawn

Pronunciation: \ˈfȯn, ˈfän\

Function: intransitive verb

Etymology: Middle English faunen, from Old English fagnian to rejoice, from fægen, fagan glad — more at fain

Date: 13th century

1 : to show affection —used especially of a dog
2 : to court favor by a cringing or flattering manner

— fawn·er noun

— fawn·ing·ly \ˈfȯ-niŋ-lē, ˈfä-\ adverb

synonyms fawn, toady, truckle, cringe, cower mean to behave abjectly before a superior. fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention <waiters fawning over a celebrity>. toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude <toadying to his boss>. truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior <truckling to a powerful lobbyist>. cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility <a cringing sycophant>. cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people <cowering before a bully>.