English

Noun

flatter ‎(plural flatters)

1. A type of set tool used by blacksmiths.
2. A flat-faced fulling hammer.
3. A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips such as watch springs.
4. Someone who flattens, purposely or accidently. Also flattener.
5. (Britain, New Zealand, slang) Someone who lives in a rented flat.

Translations

Adjective

flatter

1. comparative form of flat: more flat

Etymology 2

• From Middle English flatteren, flateren ‎(“to flutter, float, fawn over”), probably a conflation of Old English floterian, flotorian ‎(“to flutter, float, be disquieted”), from Proto-Germanic *flutrōną ‎(“to be floating”), from Proto-Indo-European *plewd- ‎(“to flow, swim”); and Old Norse flaðra ‎(“to fawn on someone, flatter”), from Proto-Germanic *flaþrōną ‎(“to fawn over, flutter”), from Proto-Indo-European *peled- ‎(“moisture, wetness”), *pel- ‎(“to gush, pour out, fill, flow, swim, fly”).
• Cognate with Scots flatter, flotter ‎(“to float; splash; cover with liquid”), Middle Dutch flatteren ‎(“to embellish, flatter, caress”), German flattern ‎(“to flutter”).
• The word was also associated with Middle French flatter ‎(“to flatter, to caress with the flat of the hand”), from Old French flater ‎(“to deceive by concealing the truth, to stroke with the palm of the hand”), from Frankish *flat ‎(“palm, flat of the hand”), from Proto-Germanic *flatą, *flatō ‎(“palm, sole”), *flataz ‎(“flat”), from Proto-Indo-European *plÁt-, *pele-, *plāk- ‎(“flat, broad, plain”); related to Old High German flazza ‎(“palm, flat of the hand”), Old High German flaz ‎(“level, flat”), Old Saxon flat ‎(“flat”), Old Norse flatr ‎(“flat”) (whence English flat), Old Frisian flet, flette ‎(“dwelling, house”), Old English flet, flett ‎(“ground floor, dwelling”). More at flat.

Verb

flatter ‎(third-person singular simple present flatters, present participle flattering, simple past and past participle flattered) (transitive, intransitive)

1. To compliment someone, often insincerely and sometimes to win favour.
   • Bible, Proverbs xxix. 5

     A man that flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet.

   • Prescott

     Others he flattered by asking their advice.

2. To enhance someone's vanity by praising them.
3. To portray something to advantage.

   Her portrait flatters her.

4. To convey notions of the facts that are believed to be favorable to the hearer without certainty of the truthfulness of the notions conveyed.

Related terms

• flattery
• flatterer

Translations

French

Etymology

From Middle French flatter ‎(“to flatter, to caress with the flat of the hand”), from Old French flater ‎(“to deceive by concealing the truth, to stroke with the palm of the hand”), from Frankish *flat ‎(“palm, flat of the hand”), from Proto-Germanic *flatą, *flatō ‎(“palm, sole”), *flataz ‎(“flat”), from Proto-Indo-European *plÁt-, *pele-, *plet-, *plāk- ‎(“flat, broad, plain”). Cognate with Old High German flazza ‎(“palm, flat of the hand”), Old High German flaz ‎(“level, flat”), Old Saxon flat ‎(“flat”), Old Norse flatr ‎(“flat”) (whence English flat), Old Frisian flet, flette ‎(“dwelling, house”), Old English flet, flett ‎(“ground floor, dwelling”). More at flat, flétrir.

Pronunciation

Verb

flatter

1. to flatter

Conjugation

Derived terms

• flatterie
• flatteur

German

Verb

flatter

1. First-person singular present of flattern.
2. Imperative singular of flattern.

Middle French

Verb

flatter

1. to flatter

Conjugation

• Middle French conjugation varies from one text to another. Hence, the following conjugation should be considered as typical, not as exhaustive.