Obs. Forms: 4–5 flatour, (vlatour), 5 flater, 6 flatter. [a. OF. flatere, flaleour, flateur, agent-n. f. flater to FLATTER.] = FLATTERER.
1340. Ayenb., 256. Ulatours and lyeȝeres byeþ to grat cheap ine hare cort.
c. 1400. Cato’s Morals, 8, in Cursor M., App. iv. 1669.
| For-soþ flipers | |
| and alle fals flaters | |
| I rede sone þou fle. |
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 123. Beter is the frende that prikithe, thanne the flatour that oyntethe.
1559. Mirr. Mag., Mowbray’s Banishm., xi.
| And whyle the rest prouyded for this thing, | |
| I flatter I, to winne the prayse of troth, | |
| Wretch that I was, brake fayth and promise both. |
