Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Flattery
Flat′ter-y
,Noun.
pl.
Flatteries
(#)
. [OE. ]
flaterie
, OF. flaterie
, F. flaterie
, fr. flater
to flatter, F. flatter
; of uncertain origin. See Flatter
, Verb.
T.
The act or practice of flattering; the act of pleasing by artful commendation or compliments; adulation; false, insincere, or excessive praise.
Just praise is only a debt, but
flattery
is a present. Rambler.
Syn. – Adulation; compliment; obsequiousness. See
Adulation
. Webster 1828 Edition
Flattery
FLAT'TERY
,Noun.
1.
False praise; commendation bestowed for the purpose of gaining favor and influence, or to accomplish some purpose. Direct flattery consists in praising a person himself; indirect flattery consists in praising a person through his works or his connections.Simple pride for flattery makes demands.
Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.
2.
Adulation; obsequiousness; wheedling.3.
Just commendation which gratifies self-love.Definition 2024
flattery
flattery
English
Noun
flattery (countable and uncountable, plural flatteries)
- (uncountable) Excessive praise or approval, which is often insincere and sometimes contrived to win favour.
- 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 2, in The Mirror and the Lamp:
- That the young Mr. Churchills liked—but they did not like him coming round of an evening and drinking weak whisky-and-water while he held forth on railway debentures and corporation loans. Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired.
-
- (countable) An instance of excessive praise.
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:flattery
Related terms
Translations
excessive praise
|
instant of excessive praise