Flattery

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.

c. 1320.  The Seuyn Sages (W.), 2155.

	For thou leuest wel flaterie,
	That the maistres conne to the lie.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 539. Flaterie is generally wrongful preysing. Flaterers ben the develes norices, that norisshen his children with mylk of losingerie.

1413.  Lydg., Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483), IV. xxx. 78. How dar ther ony man be so fole hardy for to dampnen hym seluen, deceyuyng suche a persone by fauour of flaterye.

1484.  Caxton, Fables of Æsop, I. ix. Ofte the good men lese theyr goodes by the decepcion and flaterye of the peruers and evylle folke.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 111. Somtyme vnder the cloke of good maner, he bryngeth in adulacyon or flatery.

1646.  J. Benbrigge, Vsura accommodata, 15. The flattery of deceitfull borrowers.

1710.  Steele, Tatler, No. 139, 28 Feb., ¶ 1. That general Cause of all their [Women’s] Follies, and our Misfortunes, their Love of Flattery.

1771.  Goldsm., Hist. Eng., II. 217. As this nobleman had made his way to power by murder, so he was resolved to maintain himself in it by the usual resources of bad men, by tyranny over his inferiors, and flattery to the queen.

1826.  Disraeli, Viv. Grey, VI. i. Flattery is the destruction of all good fellowship; it is like a qualmish liqueur in the midst of a bottle of wine.

  2.  fig. ‘Gratifying deception, delusion’ (Schmidt).

c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonnet xlii. 13.

	But here’s the joy; my friend and I are one:
	Sweet flattery! then she loves but me alone.

    Ibid. (1604), Oth., IV. i. 133. She is persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise.

  3.  With a and pl.

1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., III. ii. 216.

	K. Rich.  He does me double wrong,
	That wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue.

1665.  Boyle, Occas. Refl., Ded. 6. It is as much Your Custome to look ev’n upon Small Praises as Flatteries, as it is Your Prerogative to keep Great ones from being so.

1700.  Dryden, Fables, Pref. You never cool while you read Homer, even not in the Second Book, (a graceful Flattery to his Countrymen;) but he hastens from the Ships, and concludes not that Book till he has made you an Amends by the violent playing of a new Machine.