flatter 1
— flatterable , adj. — flatterer , n. — flatteringly , adv.
/flat"euhr/ , v.t.
1. to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.
2. to praise or compliment insincerely, effusively, or excessively: She flatters him by constantly praising his books.
3. to represent favorably; gratify by falsification: The portrait flatters her.
4. to show to advantage: a hairstyle that flatters the face.
5. to play upon the vanity or susceptibilities of; cajole, wheedle, or beguile: They flattered him into contributing heavily to the foundation.
6. to please or gratify by compliments or attentions: I was flattered by their invitation.
7. to feel satisfaction with (oneself), esp. with reference to an accomplishment, act, or occasion: He flattered himself that the dinner had gone well.
8. to beguile with hope; encourage prematurely, falsely, etc.
v.i.
9. to use flattery.
[ 1175-1225; ME flat ( t ) eren to float, flutter, fawn upon, OE floterian to float, flutter; for sense development, cf. FLICKER 1 , ON flathra; reinforced by OF flatter to flatter, lit., to stroke, caress (prob. flat- FLAT 1 ) ]
flatter 2
/flat"euhr/ , n.
1. a person or thing that makes something flat.
2. a flat-faced blacksmith's tool, laid on a forging and struck with a hammer to smooth the surface of the forging.
3. a drawplate with a flat orifice for drawing flat metal strips, as for watch springs.
[ 1705-15; FLAT 1 + -ER 1 ]