flatter

1
[ flat-er ]
/ ˈflæt ər /

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to use flattery.

Origin of flatter

1
1175–1225; Middle English flat(t)eren to float, flutter, fawn upon, Old English floterian to float, flutter; for sense development, cf. flicker1, Old Norse flathra; reinforced by Old French flatter to flatter, literally, to stroke, caress (probably < Frankish *flat- flat1)

OTHER WORDS FROM flatter

Words nearby flatter

flatmate, flats, flatscreen, flatstick, flatten, flatter, flatter oneself, flattery, flattie, flatties, flatting

British Dictionary definitions for flatterable (1 of 2)

flatter 1
/ (ˈflætə) /

verb

to praise insincerely, esp in order to win favour or reward
to show to advantage that dress flatters her
(tr) to make to appear more attractive, etc, than in reality
to play upon or gratify the vanity of (a person) it flatters her to be remembered
(tr) to beguile with hope; encourage, esp falsely this success flattered him into believing himself a champion
(tr) to congratulate or deceive (oneself) I flatter myself that I am the best

Derived forms of flatter

flatterable, adjective flatterer, noun flatteringly, adverb

Word Origin for flatter

C13: probably from Old French flater to lick, fawn upon, of Frankish origin

British Dictionary definitions for flatterable (2 of 2)

flatter 2
/ (ˈflætə) /

noun

a blacksmith's tool, resembling a flat-faced hammer, that is placed on forged work and struck to smooth the surface of the forging
a die with a narrow rectangular orifice for drawing flat sections