pleased or complimented someone in an exaggerated way to make them feel good, or made someone appear more attractive.
From Old Norse 'flatr' meaning flat or smooth. Originally it meant to 'smooth over' a situation or to make something smooth and pleasing, then evolved to mean flattering with words.
The word 'flatter' originally meant to make something physically flat or smooth, then people started using it for 'smoothing over' situations with nice words, which is how we got the modern meaning of insincere praise!
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