̈ɪˈflætə v.tr. 1
compliment unduly; overpraise,
esp.
for gain or
advantage. 2 (usu. refl.; usu. foll. by
that + clause)
please,
congratulate, or
delude (oneself etc.) (I flatter
myself that I can sing). 3 a (of a
colour, a
style, etc.)
make (a person)
appear to
the best advantage (that
blouse flatters you). b (esp. of a
portrait, a painter, etc.)
represent too favourably. 4
gratify the
vanity of; make (a person)
feel honoured. 5
inspire (a person)
with hope, esp. unduly (was flattered
into thinking himself invulnerable). 6 please or gratify (the ear, the
eye, etc.). øflattering
unction a salve that
one administers to one's
own conscience or
self-esteem (Shakesp. esp.
Hamlet III.
iv. 136). øøflatterer n. flattering adj. flatteringly adv. [ME, perh. rel. to OF flater to smooth]