Flat"ter (flăt"t&etilde;r), n.
1. One who, or that which, makes flat or
flattens.
2. (Metal Working) (a)
A flat-faced fulling hammer. (b) A
drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat
strips, as watch springs, etc.
Flat"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Flattered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Flattering.] [OE. flateren, cf. OD. flatteren;
akin to G. flattern to flutter, Icel. fla&?;ra to fawn,
flatter: cf. F. flatter. Cf. Flitter, Flutter,
Flattery.] 1. 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. 5.
Others he flattered by asking their
advice.
Prescott.
2. To raise hopes in; to encourage or
favorable, but sometimes unfounded or deceitful,
representations.
3. To portray too favorably; to give a too
favorable idea of; as, his portrait flatters him.
Flat"ter, v. i. To use flattery or
insincere praise.
If it may stand him more in stead to lie,
Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or adjure.
Milton.
