pander

• pandar

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

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpændə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpændɚ/

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• (non-rhotic accents) Homophone: panda

pander (plural panders)

1. A person who furthers the illicit love-affairs of others; a pimp or procurer.

   Synonyms: panderer; see also Thesaurus:pimp

   • 1609, Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, Act 3:

     if ever you prove false one, to another since I have taken such paine to bring you together let all pittifull goers betweene be cald to the worlds end after my name, call them all Panders, let all constant men be Troylusses all false woemen Cressids, and all brokers betweene panders

   • 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.

• pandersome

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 gratification.

   His latest speech panders to the worst instincts of the electorate.

3. (transitive, obsolete) To act as a pander for (somebody).

• panderer

• demagogism

• repand

• IPA^(key): /ˈpanə/, [ˈpʰanə]

pander c

1. plural indefinite of pande

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

pander

1. first-person singular present passive subjunctive of pandō