flatter

英 ['flætə] 美 ['flætɚ]

解释

※ 提供单词"flatter"的中文意思、发音示范及音标对照，中英文词源、例句和用法等。

flatter 奉承，讨好

flat, 平的。-er, 表反复。引申词义俯伏在地，拜倒，奉承等。

flatter: flatter: [13] Etymologically, flatter means ‘smooth down or caress with the flat of the hand’. It comes from Old French flatter, in which the original literal notion of ‘caressing’ had already passed into the figurative ‘buttering up’. The Old French verb in turn was based on Frankish *flat, the ‘flat or palm of someone’s hand’, a word which shared a common source with English flat.
=> flat
flatter (v.): c. 1200, flateren, flaterien, "seek to please or gratify (someone) by undue praise, praise insincerely, beguile with pleasing words," from Old French flater "to deceive; caress, fondle; prostrate, throw, fling (to the ground)" (13c.), probably from a Germanic source, perhaps from Proto-Germanic *flata- "flat" (see flat (adj.)).

"Of somewhat doubtful etymology" [OED]. Liberman calls it "one of many imitative verbs beginning with fl- and denoting unsteady or light, repeated movement" (for example flicker, flutter). If it is related to flat the notion could be either "caress with the flat of the hand, stroke, pet," or "throw oneself flat on the ground" (in fawning adoration). The -er ending is unusual for an English verb from French; perhaps it is by influence of shimmer, flicker, etc., or from flattery.

Meaning "give a pleasing but false impression to" is from late 14c. Sense of "show (something) to best advantage" is from 1580s, originally of portraits. Related: Flattered; flattering.

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1. You flatter yourself. Why would we go to such ludicrous lengths?: 你真自以为是。我们为什么要费那么大的力气？

2. You can make your stomach look flatter instantly by improving your posture.: 通过采取更好的坐姿，你的腹部马上就会看起来平坦一些。

4. Orange and khaki flatter those with golden skin tones.: 橘黄色和卡其色能衬托那些金黄色皮肤的人。

5. Strong colours would flatter her pale skin and dark hair.: 亮颜色更能衬托她的白皮肤和黑头发。