failpéir — meaning in English

English meaning

• sponger noun One who uses a sponge.
• toady noun Someone who flatters and fawns over others, especially those in power, to gain favor.

Senses

failpéir is used for these senses in English:

• sponger One who uses a sponge.
• toady A sycophant who flatters others to gain personal advantage, or an obsequious, servile lackey or minion.

sponger — full definition

1. noun One who uses a sponge.
2. noun A parasitic hanger-on.
3. noun A person or vessel employed in gathering sponges from the sea.
4. noun A device for sponging cloth by means of a perforated adjustable cylinder.

toady — full definition

1. noun Someone who flatters and fawns over others, especially those in power, to gain favor.
2. verb To act in a servile, flattering way toward someone.

Related Irish words