flatter
verb (flatter, flatters, flattered, flattering); adjective (flatter — comparative of flat)
Everyday
- (verb) To praise someone too much, often not sincerely, to please them or get something. tree →
- (verb) To make someone look better than usual: «That colour flatters you». tree →
- (verb) «be flattered»: feel pleased because someone admired you. tree →
- (adjective) More flat; more level or smooth. tree →
In the lessons
In stories, a sly character flatters the king to get a reward (like the fox in the fable «The Fox and the Crow»). In everyday life: «I'm flattered you asked me». In geography and maths: «flatter land», «this side is flatter».
Examples
- The fox flattered the crow so she would drop the cheese. tree →
- Don't try to flatter me — you still have to tidy up. tree →
- I was flattered when they asked me to sing. tree →
- That dress really flatters you. tree →
- The fields here are flatter than in the hills. tree →
- Press it down to make it flatter. tree →
- He flattered the teacher to get extra time. tree →
- Such a neatly turned compliment flattered Ludovine. tree →
Note
Two different words: flatter (praise) and flatter (more flat). Noun: flattery (too much praise). Adjective: flattering. Being flattered is pleasant, but flattery can be a trick.
In Jewish tradition
The Bible condemns flattering lips as deceitful. Tradition counts flattery as a kind of lying and as a danger to the one who flatters and the one flattered. In the primary lessons: In stories, a sly character flatters the king to get a reward (like the fox in the fable «The Fox and the Crow»). In everyday life: «I'm flattered you asked me». In geography and maths: «flatter land», «this side is flatter».
Examples
- May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh proud things! (Writings PSA.12.4, JPS 1917) tree →
- For I know not to give flattering titles; else would my Maker soon take me away. (Writings JOB.32.22, JPS 1917) tree →
- A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Writings PRO.26.28, JPS 1917) tree →
Note
Two different words: flatter (praise) and flatter (more flat). Noun: flattery (too much praise). Adjective: flattering. Being flattered is pleasant, but flattery can be a trick.
On Mova
- Trees and pragmatics of «flatter» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «flatter» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
- Trees and pragmatics of «flatter» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «flatter» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
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