Flatter vs Flout - What's the difference?
flatter | flout |
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.
(flat)
to compliment someone, often insincerely and sometimes to win favour
* Bible, Proverbs xxix. 5
* Prescott
to enhance someone's vanity by praising them
to portray something to advantage.
to convey notions of the facts that are believed to be favorable to the hearer without certainty of the truthfulness of the notions conveyed.
To express contempt for the rules by word or action.
* 2012 , The Economist, Sep 29th 2012 issue,
To scorn.
* Walton
* Byron
The act by which something is flouted.
* 2012 , John Flowerdew, Discourse in English Language Education (page 97)
As nouns the difference between flatter and flout
is that flatter is a type of set tool used by blacksmiths while flout is the act by which something is flouted.As verbs the difference between flatter and flout
is that flatter is to compliment someone, often insincerely and sometimes to win favour while flout is to express contempt for the rules by word or action.As an adjective flatter
is (flat).flatter
English
Etymology 1
Noun
(wikipedia flatter) (en noun)Adjective
(head)Etymology 2
From (etyl) flatteren, . More at (l).Verb
(en-verb) (transitive'' and ''intransitive )- A man that flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet.
- Others he flattered by asking their advice.
- Her portrait flatters her.
flout
English
Verb
Tax alchemy: Tech's avoidance
- The manoeuvres of Microsoft and HP appear to comply with the letter of the regulations, even if they flout their spirit.
- Phillida flouts me.
- Three gaudy standards flout the pale blue sky.
Usage notes
* Do not confuse with flaunt.Noun
(en noun)- A flout is when someone deliberately and ostentatiously contravenes a maxim.
