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flattering - 3 dictionary results
flat⋅ter
1 [flat-er]
–verb (used with object)
| 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. |
–verb (used without object)
| 9. | to use flattery. |
Origin:
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. < Frankish *flat- flat 1 )
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. < Frankish *flat- flat 1 )

Related forms:
flat⋅ter⋅a⋅ble, adjective
flat⋅ter⋅er, noun
flat⋅ter⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To flattering
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Flattering
Flat"ter*ing\, a. That flatters (in the various senses of the verb); as, a flattering speech. Lay not that flattering unction to your soul. --Shak. A flattering painter, who made it his care, To draw men as they ought be, not as they are. --Goldsmith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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