ingratiate
/ɪnˈɡɹeɪ.ʃi.eɪt/ verb
Forms ingratiates ingratiating ingratiated
- verb (reflexive) To bring oneself into favour with someone by flattering or trying to please them; to insinuate oneself; to worm one's way in.
- verb (followed by to) To recommend; to render easy or agreeable.
Etymology
First attested in 1622. From Italian ingraziare or Medieval Latin *ingratiatus, from Latin in grātiam (“for the favor of”).
Webster’s 1913
- verb To introduce or commend to the favor of another; to bring into favor; to insinuate; --used reflexively, and followed by with before the person whose favor is sought.
- verb To recommend; to render easy or agreeable; --followed by to. [Obs.] Dr. J. Scott.
- verb To gain favor. [R.] Sir W. Temple.
Etymology [Pref. in- in + L. gratia. See Grace.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “ingratiate”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details