Flat"ter , v. i. To use flattery or insincere praise.
If it may stand him more in stead
to lie,
Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or adjure.
Milton.
Flat"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flattered (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Flattering.]
[OE. flateren,
cf. OD. flatteren; akin to G. flattern to flutter, Icel. fla&?;ra to fawn,
flatter: cf. F. flatter. Cf. Flitter, Flutter,
Flattery.] 1. 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.
When I tell him he hates flatterers,
He says he does,
being then most flattered.
Shak.
A man that flattereth his neighbor, spreadeth a net for his feet.
Prov. xxix. 5.
Others he flattered by asking their advice.
Prescott. 2. To raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations.
3. To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait flatters him.
Flat"ter (flăt"t&etilde;r), n. 1. One who, or that which, makes flat or flattens.
2. (Metal Working) (a)
A flat-faced fulling hammer. (b)
A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips, as watch springs, etc.
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