Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Flatter \Flat"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Flattered}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Flattering}.] [OE. flateren, cf. OD. flatteren; akin
   to G. flattern to flutter, Icel. fla?ra to fawn, flatter: cf.
   F. flatter. Cf. {Flitter}, {Flutter}, {Flattery}.]
   1. To treat with praise or blandishments; to gratify or
      attempt to gratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by
      artful and interested commendation or attentions; to
      blandish; to cajole; to wheedle.

            When I tell him he hates flatterers, He says he
            does, being then most flattered.      --Shak.

            A man that flattereth his neighbor, spreadeth a net
            for his feet.                         --Prov. xxix.
                                                  5.

            Others he flattered by asking their advice.
                                                  --Prescott.

   2. To raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but
      sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations.

   3. To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of;
      as, his portrait flatters him.