I.an informer, tale-bearer, backbiter, slanderer; a deceiver, trickster, cheat (anteand post-class.; cf.: calumniator, quadruplator).
I. Lit.: “sucophanta et subdolus,” Plaut. Poen. 5, 2, 72; id. Curc. 4, 1, 2; id. Men. 2, 2, 10; 5, 9, 28 al.; Ter. And. 4, 5, 20; 5, 4, 16; Gell. 14, 1, 32.—
II. Transf., a cunning flatterer, parasite, sycophant (syn.: planus, scurra), Plaut. Am. 1, 3, 8; id. Men. 2, 1, 35; Prud. Apoth. 35.