pander

Alternative forms

• pandar

Etymology

From Chaucer’s character Pandare (in Troilus and Criseyde), from Italian Pandaro (found in Boccaccio), from Latin Pandarus (found in Greek mythology), from Ancient Greek Πάνδαρος (Pándaros). (See also Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpandə/ or /ˈpændə/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈpændɚ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• (non-rhotic accents) Homophone: panda

Noun

pander (plural panders)

1. A person who furthers the illicit love-affairs of others; a pimp or procurer. (Later panderer.)
   • 1992, Moncrieff/Kilmartin/Enright, translating Marcel Proust, Swann’s Way, Folio Society 2005, p. 190:

     It was not only the brilliant phalanx of virtuous dowagers, generals and academicians with whom he was most intimately associated that Swann so cynically compelled to serve him as panders.

2. An offer of illicit sex with a third party.
3. An illicit or illegal offer, usually to tempt.
4. (by extension) One who ministers to the evil designs and passions of another.
   • Burke

     Those wicked panders to avarice and ambition.

Verb

pander (third-person singular simple present panders, present participle pandering, simple past and past participle pandered)

1. (intransitive) To offer illicit sex with a third party; to pimp.
2. (intransitive) To tempt with, to appeal or cater to (improper motivations, etc.); to assist in the gratification of.

   His latest speech simply seems to pander to the worst instincts of the electorate.

Anagrams

• repand

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpanə/, [ˈpʰanə]

Noun

pander c

1. plural indefinite of pande

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈpan.der/, [ˈpan.dɛr]

Verb

pander

1. first-person singular present passive subjunctive of pandō