INGRATIATE

ingratiate

(verb) gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

ingratiate (third-person singular simple present ingratiates, present participle ingratiating, simple past and past participle ingratiated)

(reflexive) To bring oneself into favour with someone by flattering or trying to please him or her.

(followed by to) To recommend; to render easy or agreeable.

Source: Wiktionary

In*gra"ti*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ingratiated; p. pr. & vb. n. Ingratiating.] Etym: [Pref. in- in + L. gratia. See Grace.]

1. 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. Lysimachus . . . ingratiated himself both with Philip and his pupil. Budgell.

2. To recommend; to render easy or agreeable; -- followed by to. [Obs.] Dr. J. Scott. What difficulty would it [the love of Christ] not ingratiate to us Hammond.

In*gra"ti*ate, v. i.

Definition: To gain favor. [R.] Sir W. Temple.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition