English word flattery comes from Proto-Germanic *flatą, and later Old French flater (To flatter; to seduce with words.)
Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
---|---|---|
*flatą | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
flat | Frankish (frk) | |
flater | Old French (fro) | To flatter; to seduce with words. |
flaterie | Old French (fro) | |
flaterie | Middle English (enm) | |
flattery | English (en) | (countable) An instance of excessive praise.. (uncountable) Excessive praise or approval, which is often insincere and sometimes contrived to win favour. |