FLATTEN


Meaning of FLATTEN in English

I. ˈflat ə n verb

( flattened ; flattened ; flattening -t( ə )niŋ ; flattens )

Etymology: flat (I) + -en

transitive verb

1. : to reduce to an even or more nearly even surface : make flat : level , smooth

flatten the seams with a steam iron

time flattens the mountains

2.

a. : to throw down : bring to the ground : prostrate

the hurricane flattened the forest

b. : depress , deject , dispirit

was flattened by grief

c. : to completely overwhelm

the senator flattened his opposition

as

(1) : to ruin financially

the depression flattened many young or small businesses

(2) slang : to knock out

the boxer was flattened in the seventh round

sometimes : to defeat decisively in any contest

(3) : to kill or destroy by or as if by crushing

the car flattened the farmer's hen

(4) : to make (as oneself) helplessly drunk

3. archaic : to make vapid or insipid

4.

a. : to make (as paint) lusterless

b. : to cover (a surface) with a priming coat or a coat of flat paint

5. Britain : flat 4

6. : to adjust (a sail) by hauling in the aftermost clew to help turn a sailboat — often used with in

intransitive verb

1. : to become flat or flatter: as

a. : to become dull, savorless, or lacking in spirit

b. : to get, move, or extend in or into a flat position or form — often used with out

hills flattening into coastal plains

the ruts flattened out under the pressure of wheels

c. : to become uniform or stabilized often at a new higher or lower level — usually used with out

prices are expected to flatten out after the holiday buying

performance tended to flatten out after an initial period of improvement

d.

(1) : to manipulate an airplane so as to bring its longitudinal axis parallel with the ground (as after a climb or a dive) — used with out

(2) of an airplane : to assume such a position — used with out

2. : to extend oneself in making an effort

the horses flattened into their collars

rose refreshed and flattened to the task of grubbing roots

II. transitive verb

: to stabilize especially at a lower level

the economic boom will flatten interest rates

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.