flatteringn.
/ˈflatərɪŋ/ The action of flatter v.1, in its various senses. Now rare except in gerundial use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > exaggeration, hyperbole > [noun]
flattering?c1225
supersault1503
exaggeration1565
exsuperation1623
transcendence1625
aggravation1628
superlationa1637
overreach1653
superjection1654
fulsomeness1684
claptrap1819
overcolouring1843
mirch masala1980
mirch1985
the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > [noun] > temptation
foundingOE
flattering?c1225
tempting1303
temptation1340
impugnation1398
fanda1400
triala1557
attempt1611
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [noun]
fickling?c1225
flattering?c1225
oluhningc1225
glozec1290
glozing1297
losengery1303
blandishingc1305
blandingc1315
flatteryc1320
glotheringc1325
soothinga1400
honey word?1406
faginga1425
flatrisec1440
smekingc1440
blandishc1475
blandiment?1510
glavering1545
coggingc1555
good1563
milksop1577
court holy water1583
glavery1583
blandishment1591
lipsalve1591
court holy bread1592
flatter1593
colloguing1596
sooth1597
daub?1602
blandation1605
lullaby1611
court-water1616
butter1618
blandiloquy1623
oil1645
court-element1649
courtshipment1649
courtship1655
blandiloquence1656
court-creama1657
daubing1656
fleecha1700
Spanish money1699
cajole1719
whiting1721
palaver1733
butter boat1747
flummery1749
treacle1771
Spanish coin1785
blancmange1790
blarney1796
soft corn1814
whillywha1816
carney1818
buttering up1819
soft soap1821
flam1825
slaver1825
soft solder1836
soothing syrup1839
soft-soaping1840
plámás1853
sawder1854
soap1854
salve1859
taffy1878
plámásing1897
flannel1927
smarm1937
flannelling1945
sweet talk1945
schmear1950
smarming1950
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > deception by illusion, delusion > speech intended to deceive > [noun] > and flatter
losengery1303
fagec1400
flatteringc1430
flattery1609
gammon1781
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 237 For ferlac. for flaterung.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter v. 11 Wiþ flaterynge þai deuoure wham swa þai may felaghe wiþ þaim.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 1977 Thurgh his fals flatering With the Sodon was he dwelling.
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 1186/2 The Preachers..preached nothyng but lyes & flatterynges.
1607 S. Hieron Remedie for Securitie in Wks. (1620) I. 430 Secret soothing and flattering of the heart.
1678 R. Barclay Apol. True Christian Divinity Ded. The flattering of court parasites.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
flatteringadj.
1. † b. Coaxing, wheedling. Obsolete.
a. Of a person, his actions, utterances, etc.: That flatters or tries to please by praise, generally insincere; adulatory.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [adjective]
ficklinga1240
glozing1297
blandingc1315
blandishingc1374
glaveringc1394
fleering?a1400
sleekedc1400
faginga1425
smoothc1450
flattering1484
cogging1542
flatterous1546
butterya1585
smooth-tongueda1593
oily1598
silken1598
slick-tongued1598
soothing1599
sleek1601
slick1606
blandiloquous1615
supellectile1615
colloguing1620
losengeous1632
oiled-tongued1632
daubing1655
blandiloquious1689
smooth-booted1706
palavering1764
pill-gilding1764
oily-tongued1788
buttering1789
sleeky1810
smooth-spoken1821
oleaginous1833
butteraceous1837
saponaceous1837
soft-soapy1849
soapy1854
blarneying1884
smarmy1924
sweet-talking1956
smoothie1959
smarming1970
blandiloquent-
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope i. xv The foole whiche herd the flaterynge wordes of the foxe beganne to open his bylle for to synge.
1550 R. Crowley One & Thyrtye Epigrammes sig. Cvi Be ware of all flatterynge frendis.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iv. i. 174 That flattering tongue of yours wonne me. View more context for this quotation
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. 115 The most flattering bard..would have hesitated to affirm, that he surpassed the measure of the demi-gods of antiquity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > [adjective] > wheedling, coaxing, or cajoling
blandishingc1374
flatteringc1386
fleechinga1522
ingling1595
lenocinating1609
wheedling1668
coaxing1704
cajolinga1715
carneying1853
blandandering1896
sloothering1919
noodging1988
c1386 G. Chaucer Friar's Prol. 30 I schal him telle which a gret honour Is to ben a fals flateryng lymytour.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 104 Thy flattering Method on the Youth pursue. View more context for this quotation
2.
a. Suggesting pleasurable (usually, delusive) anticipations or beliefs; pleasing to the imagination.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adjective]
winsomea900
sweetc900
likingeOE
i-quemec950
lieflyOE
winlyOE
hereOE
thankfulc1000
merryOE
queemc1175
beina1200
willea1200
leesomec1200
savouryc1225
estea1250
i-wilc1275
winc1275
welcomea1300
doucea1350
well-pleasingc1350
acceptablea1382
pleasablea1382
pleasanta1382
pleaseda1382
acceptedc1384
amiablec1384
well-likinga1387
queemfulc1390
flattering1393
pleasinga1398
well-queeminga1400
comelyc1400
farrandc1400
greable1401
goodlyc1405
amicable?a1425
placablec1429
amene1433
winful1438
listyc1440
dulcet1445
agreeablec1450
favourousc1485
sweetly?a1500
pleasureful?c1502
dulcea1513
grate1523
prettya1529
plausible1541
jolly1549
dulcoratec1550
toothsome1551
pleasurable1557
tickling1558
suavec1560
amenous1567
odoriferous?1575
perfumed1580
glada1586
tickle1593
pleasurous1595
favoursome1601
dulcean1606
gratifying1611
Hyblaean1614
gratulatea1616
arrident1616
solacefula1618
pleasantable1619
placid1628
contentsome1632
sapid1640
canny1643
gustful1647
peramene1657
pergrateful1657
tastefula1659
complacent1660
placentiousa1661
gratifactorya1665
bland1667
suavious1669
palatable1683
placent1683
complaisant1710
nice1747
tasty1796
sweetsome1799
titbit1820
connate1836
cunning1843
mooi1850
gemütlich1852
sympathique1859
congenial1878
sympathetic1900
sipid1908
onkus1910
sympathisch1911
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 174 I shall..deceive and lie With flaterende prophecie.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Piiiv Flye..all the false flateryng promesses of the worlde.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) Induct. i. 42 Euen as a flatt'ring dreame. View more context for this quotation
1716 A. Pope Epist. Jervas in J. Dryden tr. C. A. du Fresnoy Art of Painting (ed. 2) sig. A7 What flatt'ring Scenes our wand'ring Fancy wrought!
a1859 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1861) V. 305 He had consulted by letter all the most eminent physicians..and, as he was apprehensive that they might return flattering answers if they knew who he was, he had [etc.].
1871 R. Hurley Let. in Raymond Statist. Mines & Mining (1872) 203 The prospects at this camp are very flattering.
b. Of the weather, the stars, etc.: Promising, (delusively) encouraging hope. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [adjective]
fairc1325
likely1548
sperable1565
hoped1581
propitious1581
promising1594
hopeful1599
auspiciousa1616
flattering1633
promissory1732
sperate1808
likely-looking1827
favourable1828
promiseful1855
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > promise, ground of hope > [adjective] > delusively
flattering1697
1633 T. Stafford Pacata Hibernia ii. xxx. 278 Don Juan..hourely expecting a wind to bee gone, and finding a flattering gale went aboard.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xv. 413 Such flattering weather is commonly the fore-runner of a Tempest.
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 27 Oct. (1948) II. 396 It has been a terrible rainy day, but so flattering in the morning, that I would needs go out in my new hat.
1847 R. W. Emerson Poems 193 For flattering planets seemed to say, This child should ills of ages stay.
3.
a. Gratifying to self-esteem; highly complimentary.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > compliment > [adjective] > of the nature of or expressing compliment
fine1568
complemental1604
complimentary1715
complimentala1745
complimentative1778
flatteringa1797
a1797 E. Burke Ess. Abridgm. Eng. Hist. (rev. ed.) in Wks. (1812) V. 717 These opinions are flattering to national vanity.
1820 C. Lamb Final Mem. viii. To Mr. Rogers 277 It is not the flatteringest compliment..to an author to say, you have not read his book yet.
1831 J. Sinclair Corr. II. 273 The very flattering terms in which he expressed himself.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxxvi. 237 The dark beauty of the supposed little girl drew many flattering comments from the passengers.
b. flattering unction: see unction n. 5b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > action of caressing > [adjective]
fawninga1400
fondling1582
miniard1584
ingling1595
flattering1650
caressinga1774
canoodling1859
caressant1861
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > [adjective] > having a light touch > touching lightly (of the hand, etc.)
soft1565
flattering1650
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine ii. vi. 150 Their [sc. Baal's priests'] flattering hands..did theatrically..let out some drops of wild bloud.
5. That represents too favourably; said esp. of a picture or the like.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > deception by illusion, delusion > [adjective]
lyinga1225
deceptoryc1430
mockinga1529
sleight1533
prestigious?1534
illudinga1547
fallible1552
delusory1588
prestigiatory1588
illusory1599
delusive1607
deceptiousa1616
deludinga1616
flatteringa1616
delusorious1625
fallacious1626
ludificatorya1677
illusive1679
will-o'-the-wisp1682
prestigiating1716
shama1721
false1768
deceptitious1827
deceptional1830
phantasm1834
will-o'-the-wispish1842
will-o'-the-wispy1857
illusionistic1911
illusional1942
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 504 Till now, infixed I beheld my selfe, Drawne in the flattering table of her eie! View more context for this quotation
1718 M. Prior Alma iii, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 359 The flatt'ring Glass of Nature.
1774 O. Goldsmith Retaliation 63 A flattering painter, who made it his care To draw men as they ought to be, not as they are.
6. quasi-adv.= flatteringly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [adverb]
sweetlyc900
queemlyOE
lustly971
winlyc1000
sootlya1125
to (a person's) queemc1175
lustilya1225
avenantlya1375
pleasinglya1398
queema1400
beinc1400
farrandlyc1400
pleasantlyc1400
pleasantlya1425
queemfullyc1425
thankfullyc1480
greablyc1500
dulcely1508
dulcea1525
pleasant1553
agreeably?1567
pleasurably1580
sugarly1587
flattering1597
sweet1597
attractively1640
well-pleasingly1645
welcomely1646
flatteringly1661
relishingly1677
satisfyingly1743
sweetsome1799
smilingly1806
dulcetly1810
gratifyingly1822
honeyedly1832
enjoyably1877
suavely1883
congenially1884
a fair treat1884
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 183 All this is but a dreame..Too flattering true to be substantiall. View more context for this quotation
Derivatives
ˈflatteringness n. the quality of being flattering.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [noun] > quality of being flattering
smoothnessa1616
blanditude1689
smooth-tonguedness1737
silkiness1832
oiliness1833
flatteringness1894
oleosity?1920
smarminess1934
1894 Temple Bar 101 195 She gently tempers its flatteringness by the remark.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.?c1225
adj.c1386