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Flatter vs Flitter - What's the difference?

flatter | flitter |

As nouns the difference between flatter and flitter

is that flatter is a type of set tool used by blacksmiths while flitter is a rag; a tatter; a small piece or fragment.

As verbs the difference between flatter and flitter

is that flatter is to compliment someone, often insincerely and sometimes to win favour while flitter is to move about rapidly and nimbly.

As an adjective flatter

is (flat).

flatter

English

Etymology 1

Noun

(wikipedia flatter) (en noun)
  • A type of set tool used by blacksmiths.
  • A flat-faced fulling hammer.
  • A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips such as watch springs.
  • Someone who flattens, purposely or accidently. Also flattener.
  • (British, NZ, slang) Someone who lives in a rented flat.

    • Adjective

    (head)
  • (flat)

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) flatteren, . More at (l).

    Verb

    (en-verb) (transitive'' and ''intransitive )
  • to compliment someone, often insincerely and sometimes to win favour
  • * Bible, Proverbs xxix. 5
    • A man that flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet.
  • * Prescott
    • Others he flattered by asking their advice.
  • to enhance someone's vanity by praising them
  • to portray something to advantage.
    • Her portrait flatters her.
  • to convey notions of the facts that are believed to be favorable to the hearer without certainty of the truthfulness of the notions conveyed.
    • Related terms
    * flattery * flatterer

    flitter

    English

    Verb

  • to move about rapidly and nimbly
  • to move quickly from one condition or location to another
  • to flutter or quiver

    • Derived terms

    * flittermouse * flittery

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A rag; a tatter; a small piece or fragment.
  • (science fiction) A small aircraft or spacecraft.
  • * {{quote-magazine
    • , year = 1941 , date = July , first = Edward Elmer , last = Smith , authorlink = E. E. Smith , magazine = Comet Stories , title = The Vortex Blaster , volume = 1 , issue = 5 , page = 10 , passage = Then all three went out to the flitter . A tiny speedster, really; a torpedo bearing stubby wings and the ludicrous tail-surfaces, the multifarious driving-, braking-, side-, top-, and under-jets so characteristic of the tricky, cranky, but ultra-maneuverable breed. }}
  • * {{quote-magazine
    • , year = 1944 , date = March , first = George Oliver , last = Smith , authorlink = George O. Smith , magazine = , title = Circle of Confusion , volume = 33 , issue = 1 , page = 54 , passage = Small flitters were powered and made ready, and everything that carried manual controls was inspected and cleared for action. }}
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year = 1955 , first = Alice Mary , last = Norton (as Andrew North) , authorlink = Andre Norton , title = , page = 53 , passage = The small flitters carried by the Queen for exploration work held with comfort a two-man crew—with crowding, three. }}
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year = 1994 , first = Stephen , last = Baxter , authorlink = Stephen Baxter , title = , isbn = 9780002240260 , page = 43 , passage = The flitter tumbled from the shimmering throat of the wormhole transit route from Port Sol to Earthport. }}

    References

    * (aircraft) * (aircraft) (Webster 1913)