Hypertext Webster Gateway: "flattery"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Flattery \Flat"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Flatteries}. [OE. flaterie, OF.
flaterie, F. flaterie, fr. flater to flatter, F. flatter; of
uncertain origin. See {Flatter}, v. t.]
The act or practice of flattering; the act of pleasing by
artiful commendation or compliments; adulation; false,
insincere, or excessive praise.
Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.
--Rambler.
Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.
--Burke.
Syn: Adulation; compliment; obsequiousness. See {Adulation}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
flattery
n : excessive or insincere praise
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