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flatterie

flattery

noun fla-tuh-REE Rare

Usage Note

Flatterie denotes excessive or insincere praise aimed at pleasing someone. The proverb la flatterie est le poison de l'amitié (flattery is the poison of friendship) reflects a cultural wariness toward it. The verb flatter and the agent noun flatteur/flatteuse (flatterer, also an adjective meaning 'flattering') belong to the same family.

Examples

"Il obtient ce qu'il veut par la flatterie."

Natural Translation

He gets what he wants through flattery.

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