Flatter
['flætə] or ['flætɚ]
Definition
(n.) One who, or that which, makes flat or flattens.
(n.) A flat-faced fulling hammer.
(n.) A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips, as watch springs, etc.
(v. t.) To treat with praise or blandishments; to gratify or attempt to gratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by artful and interested commendation or attentions; to blandish; to cajole; to wheedle.
(v. t.) To raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations.
(v. t.) To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait flatters him.
(v. i.) To use flattery or insincere praise.
Checked by Barlow
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Compliment, gratify by praise.[2]. Cajole, wheedle, humor, coax, court, STUFF, coddle, pay court to, fawn upon, curry favor with, try to win by adulation, make much of.[3]. Encourage by plausible representations, inspire with false hopes.
Checker: Natalia
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See FAWN]
Inputed by Katherine
Definition
v.t. to soothe with praise and servile attentions: to please with false hopes or undue praise.—n. Flatt′erer.—adj. Flatt′ering uttering false praise: pleasing to pride or vanity.—adv. Flatt′eringly.—n. Flatt′ery false praise.
Editor: Lucius
Examples
- He does not flatter women, but he is patient with them, and he seems to be easy in their presence, and to find their company genial. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- You're an artful little puss to flatter and wheedle your cross old sister in that way. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the survivor. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- I flatter myself that I have some influence over her. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- The word demagogue has been frightfully maltreated in late years, but surely here is its real meaning--to flatter the people by telling them that their failures are somebody else's fault. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Instead of having to flatter, she would be flattered; instead of being grateful, she would receive thanks. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- I've been helping you a little; I flatter myself not injudiciously. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I would be quiet if he liked, and as to talking rationally, I flattered myself I was doing that now. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- She played before me the amiable; offered me patte de velours; caressed, flattered, fawned on me. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- He flattered himself that it was opportunity, not audacity, which had failed him. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- She said, however, that the cognac was flattered, and took up her knitting. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Instead of having to flatter, she would be flattered; instead of being grateful, she would receive thanks. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Histi?us was at first flattered by this court position, and then realized its true meaning. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He drove his curricle; he drank his claret; he played his rubber; he told his Indian stories, and the Irish widow consoled and flattered him as usual. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- In general she recoiled from touch or close approach with a mixture of embarrassment and coldness far from flattering to those who offered her aid. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Not a flattering idea. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- He had a soft, flattering manner with women, particularly with women who were not young. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Every flattering scheme of being of consequence to her soon fell to the ground. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- The only flattering part of this melancholy fact was, that every woman he made up to had been reckoned like me in feature or expression. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- But he was pressed to stay for Mrs. Fraser's party; his staying was made of flattering consequence, and he was to meet Mrs. Rushworth there. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- But she was all aglow with her reception, carried away by this little flattering ceremonial on her behalf. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- He flatters my vanity by talking to me as seriously and sensibly as if I was a man. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
Checked by Delores