FLATTER


Meaning of FLATTER in English

I. ˈfla-tər 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 -tər-ər noun

• flat·ter·ing·ly -tər-iŋ-lē adverb

II. noun

Date: 1714

: one that flattens ; especially : a flat-faced swage used in smithing

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.