Word of the Day 9.16.9

blandish

blan·dish (blndsh)

tr.v. blan·dished, blan·dish·ing, blan·dish·es

To coax by flattery or wheedling; cajole.

[Middle English blandishen, from Old French blandir, blandiss-, from Latin blandr, from blandus, flattering; see mel-1 in Indo-European roots.]

blandish·er n.

blandish·ment n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Verb

1.

blandish – praise somewhat dishonestly

soft-soap – use flattering talk on somebody

praise – express approval of; “The parents praised their children for their academic performance”

adulate – flatter in an obsequious manner

stroke – treat gingerly or carefully; “You have to stroke the boss”

bootlick, kotow, toady, truckle, kowtow, fawn, suck up – try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; “He is always kowtowing to his boss”

brown-nose, butter up – flatter with the intention of getting something

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

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Posted on September 16, 2009 by admin

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