flattery
[
flat
-
uh
-ree]
/ˈflæt ə ri/
noun
,
plural
flatteries.
1.
the act of
flattering
.
2.
a
flattering
compliment or speech; excessive, insincere praise.
Origin
1275-1325;
Middle English
flaterie
<
Middle French,
equivalent to
flat
(
er
) to flatter +
-erie
-ery.
Cf.
flatter
1
Synonyms
2.
sycophancy, toadying, fawning, pandering.
Flattery
[
flat
-ree]
/ˈflæt ri/
noun
1.
Cape,
a cape in NW Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula, at the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait.
Examples from the web for
flattery
But he's such a natural as a movie star that he hardly needs false
flattery
.
Compliments and sincere
flattery
will boost everyone's spirits.
Their unconsummated compliments leave their targets in a confused state of
flattery
, frustration and nervousness.
Then there is the
flattery
of visitors who speak your language.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery
.
They all have brims that are wide enough to offer both protection and
flattery
.
Well certainly they need all the attention, but then too much of
flattery
is certainly not going to do good to anyone of them.
Invitations and
flattery
flood the mail and choke the phone.
US voters prefer charm and
flattery
over rationality and substance.
Imitation is thought to be the sincerest form of
flattery
-even when the mimic and model are unaware of the mimicry.
British Dictionary definitions for
flattery
flattery
/
ˈflætərɪ
/
noun
(
pl
)
-teries
1.
the act of flattering
2.
excessive or insincere praise
Word Origin and History for
flattery
n.
early 14c., from Old French
flaterie
, from
flater
(see
flatter
).