| 释义 |
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.
c1320Seuyn Sag. (W.) 2155 For thou leuest wel flaterie. c1386Chaucer Pars. T. ⁋539 Flaterie is generally wrongful preysing. 1413Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxx. 78 How dar ther ony man deceyuen suche persone by fauour of flaterye. 1484Caxton Fables of æsop i. ix, Ofte the good men lese theyr goodes by the decepcion and flaterye of the peruers and evylle folke. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 111 Somtyme vnder the cloke of good maner, he bryngeth in adulacyon or flatery. 1646J. Benbrigge Vsura accommodata 15 The flattery of deceitfull borrowers. 1710Steele Tatler No. 139 ⁋1 That general Cause of all their [Women's] Follies, and our Misfortunes, their Love of Flattery. 1771Goldsm. Hist. Eng. II. 217 He was resolved to maintain himself in it..by tyranny over his inferiors, and flattery to the queen. 1826Disraeli Viv. Grey vi. i, Flattery is the destruction of all good fellowship.
2. fig. ‘Gratifying deception, delusion’ (Schmidt).
c1600Shakes. 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.
1593Shakes. Rich. II, iii. ii. 216 He does me double wrong, that wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue. 1665Boyle Occas. Refl. Ded. 6 It is..Your Custome to look ev'n upon Smal Praises as Flatteries. 1700Dryden Fables Pref., You never cool while you read Homer, even not in the Second Book (a graceful Flattery to his Countrymen). |