flatter: [13] Etymologically, flatter means ‘smooth down or caress with the flat of the hand’. It comes from Old French flatter, in which the original literal notion of ‘caressing’ had already passed into the figurative ‘buttering up’. The Old French verb in turn was based on Frankish *flat, the ‘flat or palm of someone’s hand’, a word which shared a common source with English flat. => flat
flatter (v.)
c. 1200, flateren, flaterien, "seek to please or gratify (someone) by undue praise, praise insincerely, beguile with pleasing words," from Old French flater "to deceive; caress, fondle; prostrate, throw, fling (to the ground)" (13c.), probably from a Germanic source, perhaps from Proto-Germanic *flata- "flat" (see flat (adj.)).
"Of somewhat doubtful etymology" [OED]. Liberman calls it "one of many imitative verbs beginning with fl- and denoting unsteady or light, repeated movement" (for example flicker, flutter). If it is related to flat the notion could be either "caress with the flat of the hand, stroke, pet," or "throw oneself flat on the ground" (in fawning adoration). The -er ending is unusual for an English verb from French; perhaps it is by influence of shimmer, flicker, etc., or from flattery.
Meaning "give a pleasing but false impression to" is from late 14c. Sense of "show (something) to best advantage" is from 1580s, originally of portraits. Related: Flattered; flattering.
例文
1. You flatter yourself.Why would we go to such ludicrous lengths？
あなたは本当に独りよがりです。私たちはどうしてそんなに力を入れなければならないのですか。
2.You can make your stomach look flatter instantly by improving your posture.
より良い座り方をすることで、お腹はすぐに平らに見えます。
3.I flatter myself I 've done it all rather well.
自分はかなりうまくやっていると思います。
4.Orange and khaki flatter those with golden skin tones.
オレンジ色とカーキ色は、黄金色の肌の人を引き立てます。
5.Strong colours would flatter her pale skin and dark hair.