n.
Pronunciation: ' fla-t ə r
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English flateren, from Anglo-French flater to lap, flatter, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German flaz flat
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest
2 a archaic : BEGUILE 4 b : to encourage or gratify especially with the assurance that something is right <I flatter myself that my interpretation is correct>
3 a : to portray too favorably <the portrait flatter s him> b : to display to advantage <candlelight often flatter s the face>
intransitive verb : to use flattery
– flat · ter · er \ -t ə r- ə r \ noun
– flat · ter · ing · ly \ -t ə r-i ŋ -l ē \ adverb