flatterとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源 1

From flat +‎ -er (比較級 suffix). Compare Icelandic flatari (“flatter, more flat”).

形容詞

flatter

1. comparative form of flat: more flat

語源 2

• From Middle English flatteren, flateren (“to flutter, float, fawn over”), probably a conflation of 古期英語 floterian, flotorian (“to flutter, float, be disquieted”), from Proto-Germanic *flutrōną (“to be floating”), from Proto-Indo-European *plewd- (“to flow, swim”); and Old Norse flaðra (“to fawn on someone, flatter”), from Proto-Germanic *flaþrōną (“to fawn over, flutter”), from Proto-Indo-European *peled- (“moisture, wetness”), *pel- (“to gush, pour out, fill, flow, swim, fly”). Cognate with Scots flatter, flotter (“to float; splash; cover with liquid”), Middle Dutch flatteren (“to embellish, flatter, caress”), German flattern (“to flutter”).
• The word was also associated with Middle French flatter (“to flatter, to caress with the flat of the hand”), from Old French flater (“to deceive by concealing the truth, to stroke with the palm of the hand”), from Frankish *flat (“palm, flat of the hand”), from Proto-Germanic *flatą, *flatō (“palm, sole”), *flataz (“flat”), from Proto-Indo-European *plÁt-, *pele-, *plāk- (“flat, broad, plain”); related to Old High German flazza (“palm, flat of the hand”), Old High German flaz (“level, flat”), Old Saxon flat (“flat”), Old Norse flatr (“flat”) (whence English flat), Old Frisian flet, flette (“dwelling, house”), 古期英語 flet, flett (“ground floor, dwelling”). More at flat.

動詞

flatter (三人称単数 現在形 flatters, 現在分詞 flattering, 過去形および過去分詞形 flattered) (transitive, intransitive)

1. To compliment someone, often (but not necessarily) insincerely and sometimes to win favour.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 29:5:

     A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

   • 1855, William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Co., Volume 1, Book 1, Chapter 7, p. 242,^[1]

     Some he complimented for their bravery; others he flattered by asking their advice.

2. To enhance someone's vanity by praising them.
3. To portray someone to advantage.

   Her portrait flatters her.

   • c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]:

     Here is her picture: let me see; I think,
     If I had such a tire, this face of mine
     Were full as lovely as is this of hers:
     And yet the painter flatter’d her a little […]

4. To encourage or cheer someone with (usually false) hope.
   • 1593, [William Shakespeare], Venus and Adonis, London: […] Richard Field, […], →OCLC; Shakespeare’s Venus & Adonis: […]‎^[2], 4th edition, London: J[oseph] M[alaby] Dent and Co. […], 1896, →OCLC:

     The dire imagination she did follow
     This sound of hope doth labour to expel;
     For now reviving joy bids her rejoice,
     And flatters her it is Adonis’ voice.

     The spelling has been modernized.

   • 1743, Robert Drury, The Pleasant, and Surprizing Adventures of Mr. Robert Drury, during his Fifteen Years Captivity on the Island of Madagascar‎^[3], London, page 9:

     […] I went up, and sat there two Hours and an half before I cou’d discern any Thing like Land; and when I first saw it I told my Comrade, but not being certain I wou’d not call out; for the Case was of such Importance, that they were not to be trifled with, or flatter’d into vain Hopes.

派生語

関連する語

語源 3

From flat (“to make flat, flatten”) +‎ -er (agent suffix).

名詞

flatter (複数形 flatters)

1. A type of set tool used by blacksmiths.
2. A flat-faced fulling hammer.
3. A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips such as watch springs.
4. Someone who flattens, purposely or accidentally. Also flattener.

語源 4

From flat (“dwelling, apartment”) +‎ -er (residency suffix).

名詞

flatter (複数形 flatters)

1. (Britain, New Zealand, slang) Someone who lives in a rented flat.