adul

v. t. [ L. adulatus, p. p. of adulari. ] To flatter in a servile way. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. adulation, fr. L. adulatio, fr. adulari, adulatum, to flatter. ] Servile flattery; praise in excess, or beyond what is merited. [ 1913 Webster ]

Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out
With titles blown from adulation? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Sycophancy; cringing; fawning; obsequiousness; blandishment. -- Adulation, Flattery, Compliment. Men deal in compliments from a desire to please; they use flattery either from undue admiration, or a wish to gratify vanity; they practice adulation from sordid motives, and with a mingled spirit of falsehood and hypocrisy. Compliment may be a sincere expression of due respect and esteem, or it may be unmeaning; flattery is apt to become gross; adulation is always servile, and usually fulsome. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L., fr. adulari: cf. F. adulateur. ] A servile or hypocritical flatterer. Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. adulatorius, fr. adulari: cf. OF. adulatoire. ] Containing excessive praise or compliment; servilely praising; flattering; as, an adulatory address. [ 1913 Webster ]

A mere rant of adulatory freedom. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who flatters with servility. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A person, animal, or plant grown to full size and strength; one who has reached maturity. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the common law, the term is applied to a person who has attained full age or legal majority; in the civil law, to males after the age of fourteen, and to females after twelve. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. adultus, p. p. of adolescere, akin to alere to nourish: cf. F. adulte. See Adolescent, Old. ] Having arrived at maturity, or to full size and strength; matured; as, an adult person or plant; an adult ape; an adult age. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ L. adulterare. ] To commit adultery; to pollute. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]