flattery
(ˈflætərɪ)
Forms: 4 flaterie, (south. vlaterie), 4–6 flatery(e, (5 flatere, -eri, -irry, -urye, 6 flat(t)ry), 6–7 flatterie, 6– flattery.
[ad. F. flatterie (OF. flaterie = Pr. flataria), f. flatteur (OF. flatere) a flatterer, f. flatter (OF. flater): see flatter v.1 and -ery 1 b.]
1. The action or practice of flattering; false or insincere praise; adulation; cajolery, blandishment.
| c 1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 2155 For thou leuest wel flaterie. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶539 Flaterie is generally wrongful preysing. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxx. 78 How dar ther ony man deceyuen suche persone by fauour of flaterye. 1484 Caxton Fables of æsop i. ix, Ofte the good men lese theyr goodes by the decepcion and flaterye of the peruers and evylle folke. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 111 Somtyme vnder the cloke of good maner, he bryngeth in adulacyon or flatery. 1646 J. Benbrigge Vsura accommodata 15 The flattery of deceitfull borrowers. 1710 Steele Tatler No. 139 ¶1 That general Cause of all their [Women's] Follies, and our Misfortunes, their Love of Flattery. 1771 Goldsm. Hist. Eng. II. 217 He was resolved to maintain himself in it..by tyranny over his inferiors, and flattery to the queen. 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey vi. i, Flattery is the destruction of all good fellowship. |
2. fig. ‘Gratifying deception, delusion’ (Schmidt).
| c 1600 Shakes. Sonn. xlii. 14 My friend and I are one: Sweet flattery! then she loves but me alone. 1604 ― Oth. iv. i. 133. |
3. With a and pl.
| 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, iii. ii. 216 He does me double wrong, that wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue. 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. Ded. 6 It is..Your Custome to look ev'n upon Smal Praises as Flatteries. 1700 Dryden Fables Pref., You never cool while you read Homer, even not in the Second Book (a graceful Flattery to his Countrymen). |