Bootlicked

/ˈbuːtlɪkt/ verb

Definition

Past tense of bootlick; acted obsequiously; or subjected to bootlicking behavior.

Etymology

Past tense of 'bootlick' (to show excessive deference), formed by adding '-ed' suffix.

Kelly Says

The verb 'bootlicked' is interesting because it can describe both the person doing the bootlicking and the person being bootlicked—you can say 'he bootlicked his way up' or 'he was bootlicked by subordinates,' showing how the same word captures hierarchy.

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