fawning

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of fawn

   “That the young Mr. Churchills liked—but they did not like him coming round of an evening and drinking weak whisky-and-water while he held forth on railway debentures and corporation loans. Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired.”

adj

1. Seeking favor by way of flattery; flattering, servile.

   “Shylock: How like a fawning publican he looks ![…]”

noun

1. Servile flattery.

   “Hamlet: No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp, And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee Where thrift may follow fawning.”

   “Xantippus found his ruin ere it reached him, Lurking behind your honours and rewards; Found it in your feigned courtesies and fawnings.”