To coax or persuade someone with flattery or kind words, often in a dishonest way to get what you want.
From Old French blandiss-, stem of blandir, meaning 'to caress or flatter.' The root comes from Latin blandus meaning 'smooth' or 'flattering.' The meaning evolved from physical smoothness to smooth, flattering speech.
Blandish shows how language connects flattery to smoothness—both literally make surfaces easier to slide across, just as kind words make people's resistance easier to overcome. This word has been used since the 1400s by people trying to describe the art of charming their way out of trouble.
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