Word of the Day : April 20, 2021

adulate \AJ-uh-layt\ verb

Definition

1 a : to praise effusively and slavishly : flatter excessively : fawn upon

b : to pay homage to without exercising a critical sense of values

2 : to admire or be devoted to abjectly and excessively

Did You Know?

Man's best friend is often thought of in admiring terms as faithful and true, but there are also people who more clearly perceive the fawning and cringing aspect of doggishness. When the Romans used the Latin verb adūlārī to mean "to fawn on," they equated it with the behavior of a dog toward its master. The noun adulation—meaning "exhibition of excessive fondness" (similar in meaning but not etymologically related to adoration)—was first to develop in English, settling into the language in the 15th century. The adjective adulatory followed in the late 16th century (an adulatory speech, for example, is an excessively flattering one), and the verb adulate was being called into service by the early 17th century.

Aired April 20, 2021

All Merriam-Webster content is available at www.merriam-webster.com