/'flætə(r); `flætɚ/
v
1 [Tn] praise (sb) too much or insincerely, esp in order to gain favour for oneself 恭维, 奉承, 讨好（某人）
*If you flatter your mother a bit she might invite us all to dinner. 你要是奉承你母亲几句, 说不定她会把我们全请去吃饭.
2 [Tn usu passive 通常用于被动语态] give a feeling of pleasure or honour to (sb) 使（某人）感到高兴或荣幸
*I was very flattered by your invitation to talk at the conference. 承蒙你邀我在会上讲话, 深感荣幸.
3 [Tn] represent (sb) in a way that makes him seem better-looking than he really is 使（某人）显得（较其实际相貌）好看
*(ironic 反语) This photograph certainly doesn't flatter you, ie It makes you look rather ugly. 这张相片实在不如你本人好看.
4 [nopassive 不用于被动语态
*Tn, Dn.f] ~ oneself (that...)believe, usu mistakenly, that one has achieved sth or has certain abilities or good qualities 认为（通常指误以为）自己成就了某事物或有某种能力或优秀品质
*Do you really think he likes you? You flatter yourself! 你真以为他喜欢你? 你那是自作多情!
* He flatters himself that he speaks French well. 他自以为法语说得很好.

v [T]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French;Origin: flater 'to move the tongue against, flatter']
to praise someone in order to please them or get something from them, even though you do not mean it
　Perry would always flatter Mrs. Mitchell by praising her cooking.
to make someone look as attractive as they can
= suit
　That dress really flatters your figure.
to make something look or seem more important or better than it is
　Lewis's novel doesn't flatter Midwestern attitudes and morals.
flatter yourself
if you flatter yourself that something is true about your abilities or achievements, you make yourself believe it is true, although it is not
flatter yourself that
　She flatters herself that she could have been a model.
>flatterern[C]