Flat″ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Flattered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Flattering.] [OE. flateren, cf. OD. flatteren; akin to G. flattern to flutter, Icel. fla�ra to fawn, flatter: cf. F. flatter. Cf. Flitter, Flutter, Flattery.] 1. To treat with praise or blandishments; to gratify or attempt to gratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by artful and interested commendation or attentions; to blandish; to cajole; to wheedle.
When I tell him he hates flatterers,
He says he does, being then most flattered. Shak.
A man that flattereth his neighbor, spreadeth a net for his feet. Prov. xxix. 5.
Others he flattered by asking their advice. Prescott.
2. To raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations.
3. To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait flatters him.