flatter

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To compliment someone, often (but not necessarily) insincerely and sometimes to win favour.

   A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

2. 2
   verb

   To portray someone to advantage.

   Her portrait flatters her.

3. 3
   verb

   To encourage or cheer someone with (usually false) hope.

   […] I went up, and sat there two Hours and an half before I cou’d discern any Thing like Land; and when I first saw it I told my Comrade, but not being certain I wou’d not call out; for the Case was of such Importance, that they were not to be trifled with, or flatter’d into vain Hopes.

4. 4
   verb

   To cheer or please (with the idea that); congratulate oneself, especially when the perception is false.

   Before the results came out, I flattered myself that I had done well on the test. It turned out I was the worst in the class!

5. 5
   verb

   praise somewhat dishonestly

6. 6
   adj

   comparative form of flat: more flat

7. 7
   verb

   To enhance or gratify someone's vanity by praising them.

8. 8
   noun

   A type of set tool used by blacksmiths.

Etymology

*From Middle English flatteren, flateren (“to flutter, float, fawn over”), probably a conflation of Old English floterian, flotorian (“to flutter, float, be disquieted”), from Proto-West Germanic *flotrōn, from Proto-Germanic *flutrōną (“to be floating”), from Proto-Indo-European *plewd- (“to flow, swim”), equivalent to float + -er; and Old Norse flaðra (“to fawn on someone, flatter”), from Proto-Germanic *flaþrōną (“to fawn over, flutter”), from Proto-Indo-European *peled- (“moisture, wetness”), *pel- (“to gush, pour out, fill, flow, swim, fly”). Cognate with Scots flatter, flotter (“to float…