flatter

Definitions

1. 1.(Metal Working) (a) A flat-faced fulling hammer. (b) A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips, as watch springs, etc.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.Others he flattered by asking their advice. Prescott.
4. 4.To raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations.
5. 5.To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait flatters him.
6. 6.To use flattery or insincere praise. If it may stand him more in stead to lie, Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or adjure. Milton.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "flatter" mean?
• What is another word for "flatter"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is flatter.

• What is (a) A flat-faced fulling hammer. (b) A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips, as watch springs, etc called?
• What is others he flattered by asking their advice. Prescott called?
• What is to raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations called?
• What is to portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait flatters him called?
• What is to use flattery or insincere praise. If it may stand him more in stead to lie, Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or adjure. Milton called?