Flatter



GRE 蓝宝 考研

解释

GRE 红宝书

• v. 恭维, 奉承
• ［英］ v. 恭维, 奉承 ( praise sb too much)

Webster Collegiate

I. verb

• Etymology: Middle English flateren, from Anglo-French flater to lap, flatter, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German flaz flat
• Date: 13th century
• transitive verb
  • 1. to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest
  • 2.
    • a. archaic beguile 4
    • b. to encourage or gratify especially with the assurance that something is right <I flatter myself that my interpretation is correct>
  • 3.
    • a. to portray too favorably <the portrait flatters him>
    • b. to display to advantage <candlelight often flatters the face>
• intransitive verb
  • to use flattery
• ? flatterer noun
• ? flatteringly adverb

II. noun

• Date: 1714
• one that flattens; especially a flat-faced swage used in smithing

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