flatter
Part of speech: verb
noun
Morphological type: derivation
Etymology: *From Middle English flatteren, flateren (“to flutter, float, fawn over”), probably a conflation of Old English floterian, flotorian (“to flutter, float, be disquieted”), from Proto-West Germanic *flotrōn, from Proto-Germanic *flutrōną (“to be floating”), from Proto-Indo-European *plewd- (“to flow, swim”), equivalent to float + -er; and Old Norse flaðra (“to fawn on someone, flatter”), from Proto-Germanic *flaþrōną (“to fawn over, flutter”), from Proto-Indo-European *peled- (“moisture, wetness”), *pel- (“to gush, pour out, fill, flow, swim, fly”). Cognate with Scots flatter, flotter (“to float; splash; cover with liquid”), Middle Dutch flatteren (“to embellish, flatter, caress”), German flattern (“to flutter”).
*The word was also falsely associated with Middle French flatter (“to flatter, to caress with the flat of the hand”), from Old French flater (“to deceive by concealing the truth, to stroke with the palm of the hand”), from Frankish *flat (“palm, flat of the hand”), from Proto-Germanic *flatą, *flatō (“palm, sole”), from *flataz (“flat”), probably from Proto-Indo-European *pleth₂-, *pleh₂- (“flat, broad, plain”); related to Old High German flazza (“palm, flat of the hand”), Old High German flaz (“level, flat”), Old Saxon flat (“flat”), Old Norse flatr (“flat”) (whence English flat), Old Frisian flet, flette (“dwelling, house”), Old English flet, flett (“ground floor, dwelling”). More at flat.
Base: float
Affixes: -er
Inflected forms:
form: flatters
pos: verb
tags: present
singular
third-person
form: flattering
pos: verb
tags: participle
present
form: flattered
pos: verb
tags: participle
past
form: flattered
pos: verb
tags: past
form: flatters
pos: noun
tags: plural
Senses:
gloss: To compliment someone, often (but not necessarily) insincerely and sometimes to win favour.
pos: verb
tags: ambitransitive
examples: A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
1855, William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co., Volume 1, Book 1, Chapter 7, p. 242,
Some he complimented for their bravery; others he flattered by asking their advice.
gloss: To enhance or gratify someone's vanity by praising them.
pos: verb
tags: ambitransitive
gloss: To portray someone to advantage.
pos: verb
tags: ambitransitive
examples: Her portrait flatters her.
Here is her picture: let me see; I think,
If I had such a tire, this face of mine
Were full as lovely as is this of hers:
And yet the painter flatter’d her a little […]
gloss: To encourage or cheer someone with (usually false) hope.
pos: verb
tags: ambitransitive
examples: […] I went up, and sat there two Hours and an half before I cou’d discern any Thing like Land; and when I first saw it I told my Comrade, but not being certain I wou’d not call out; for the Case was of such Importance, that they were not to be trifled with, or flatter’d into vain Hopes.
gloss: To cheer or please (with the idea that); congratulate oneself, especially when the perception is false.
pos: verb
tags: ambitransitive
reflexive
usually
examples: Before the results came out, I flattered myself that I had done well on the test. It turned out I was the worst in the class!
The dire imagination she did follow
This sound of hope doth labour to expel;
For now reviving joy bids her rejoice,
And flatters her it is Adonis’ voice.
gloss: To cheer or please (with the idea that); congratulate oneself, especially when the perception is false.
pos: verb
tags: ambitransitive
intransitive
obsolete
reflexive
usually
examples: Run after that ſame peeuiſh Meſſenger / The Countes man: he left this Ring behinde him / Would I, or not: tell him, Ile none of it. / Deſire him not to flatter with his Lord, / Nor hold him vp with hopes, I am not for him:
gloss: A type of set tool used by blacksmiths.
pos: noun
tags: ambitransitive
gloss: A flat-faced fulling hammer.
pos: noun
tags: ambitransitive
gloss: A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips such as watch springs.
pos: noun
tags: ambitransitive
gloss: Someone who flattens, purposely or accidentally. Also flattener.
pos: noun
tags: ambitransitive
Synonyms: brush up to
collogue
flatter
flatterize
glaver
gloze
jolly
lay it on thick
make fair weather
palaver
preen
puff
soothe
speak well of
stroke
tickle the ear
Antonyms: defame
offend
Related words: flatterer
flattering
flattery
unflattering
allure
glorify
woo
Derived words: beflatter
flatterable
flatteress
flatterize
flatter oneself
flatterous
flattersome
flatter to deceive
outflatter
overflatter
unflatter
Translations: