6 results for: Blandish

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

blan·dish

Audio Help [blan-dish] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

1.	to coax or influence by gentle flattery; cajole: They blandished the guard into letting them through the gate.

–verb (used without object)

2.	to use flattery or cajolery.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME blandisshen < AF, MF blandiss-, long s. of blandir < L blandīrī to soothe, flatter. See bland, -ish²

]

—Related forms

blan·dish·er, noun

blan·dish·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Blandish

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

blan·dish Audio Help (blān'dĭsh) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. blan·dished, blan·dish·ing, blan·dish·es
To coax by flattery or wheedling; cajole.

[Middle English blandishen, from Old French blandir, blandiss-, from Latin blandīrī, from blandus, flattering; see mel-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

blan'dish·er n., blan'dish·ment n.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
blandish

c.1305, from O.Fr. blandiss- stem of blandir "to flatter," from L. blandiri "flatter," from blandus "mild, smooth" (see bland).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

blandish
verb
praise somewhat dishonestly [syn: flatter] [ant: belittle]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Blandish

Blan"dise\, v. i. [Same word as Blandish.] To blandish any one. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

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