Chapter Flashboard to Flattering of F by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

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.

Flatter
(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.

Flatterer
(Flat"ter*er) n. One who flatters.

The most abject flaterers degenerate into the greatest tyrants.

Addison.

Flattering
(Flat"ter*ing), a. That flatters (in the various senses of the verb); as, a flattering speech.

Lay not that flattering unction to your soul.

Shak.

A flattering painter, who made it his care,
To draw men as they ought be, not as they are.

Goldsmith.