Sycophancy (noun)

1. Insincere flattery or praise given to someone in power in order to gain an advantage.
2. The act of flattering someone in power insincerely in order to gain an advantage.

Origin:

From french sycophante, from ancient greek συκοφάντης (sukophántēs), 'a slanderer, informer', from σῦκον (sûkon), 'fig', and φαίνειν (phainein), 'to show'.

Examples:

1. The sycophancy of the courtier towards the king was well known.
2. The politician was notorious for his sycophancy.
3. He was known for his sycophancy and lack of ethics.
4. The sycophancy of the servant was obvious to everyone.
5. The sycophancy of the advisor was seen as a way to gain favor with the king.