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), especially 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.
Origin: 1175–1225;Middle Englishflat(t)eren to float, flutter, fawn upon, Old Englishfloterian to float, flutter; for sense development, cf. flicker1, Old Norseflathra; reinforced by Old Frenchflatter to flatter, literally, to stroke, caress (probably < Frankish*flat-flat1)
early 13c., from O.Fr. flater "to flatter," originally "stroke with the hand, caress," from Frank. *flat "palm, flat of the hand" (see flat (adj.)). Related: Flattered; flattering.