[f. FLATTER v.1 + -ER1.]
1. One who flatters, in various senses of the vb.; esp. one who employs false praise to obtain favour or otherwise serve his own purposes.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, xiv. 4. Flaterers & bakbiters ere fere fra þis life.
1413. Lydg., Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483), III. iii. 51. Ye that haue ben flaterours and traitours to youre frendes and soueraynes.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 88. I had lever … be reproued … of euery persone, than to be praysed of a flaterer.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), II. 443. A Flatterer is a Dog, that fawns when he bites. He hangs Bells in a Man’s Ears, as a Car-man does by his Horse, while he lays a heavy Load upon his Back.
1727. Gay, Fables, I. i. 77.
| For beasts of prey, a servile train, | |
| Have been the flatt’rers of my reign. |
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., xxviii. ‘I am afraid Sir Mulberry is a flatterer, my lord,’ said Mrs. Wititterly.
1881. Rita, My Lady Coquette, xx. ‘You are a sad flatterer, Rose,’ answers the kneeling girl, with a strange weariness in her voice now.
2. Comb., as flatterer-like adj.
1630. Drayton, Moses, I. 118.
| Three lab’ring months them flatterer-like beguiled, | |
| And danger still redoubling as it lasts, | |
| Suspecting most the safety of the child. |
