The practice of excessive flattery or obsequious behavior; servile or insincere displays of affection designed to gain favor.
From 'fawn' plus the suffix '-ery' (meaning the practice or product of something), similar to 'sorcery' or 'archery.' This '-ery' suffix was productive in Middle English for creating abstract nouns from verbs.
The suffix '-ery' creates wonderfully expressive nouns for practices we want to mock or criticize—'trickery,' 'chicanery,' 'knavery'—and 'fawnery' carries the same contemptuous tone, perfect for attacking political flattery.
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