Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. Like a Christian footboy or a gentleman's lackey. --Shak. {Lackey caterpillar} (Zo["o]l.), the caterpillar, or larva, of any bombycid moth of the genus {Clisiocampa}; -- so called from its party-colored markings. The common European species ({C. neustria}) is striped with blue, yellow, and red, with a white line on the back. The American species ({C. Americana} and {C. sylvatica}) are commonly called {tent caterpillars}. See {Tent caterpillar}, under {Tent}. {Lackey moth} (Zo["o]l.), the moth which produces the lackey caterpillar.
\Lack"ey\, v. t. To attend as a lackey; to wait upon. A thousand liveried angels lackey her. --Milton.
\Lack"ey\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Lackeyed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Lackeying}.] To act or serve as lackey; to pay servile attendance.