Word of the Day - 09/09/26
blandish
/'blændɪʃ/(v.): to coax with flattery
He tried to blandish his boss with insincere compliments about his new suit, hoping to get the promotion.
Word Origin
The word 'blandish' originates from Late Middle English, deriving from Old French 'blandiss-', the stem of 'blandir' (to caress, flatter). This, in turn, comes from the Latin verb 'blandiri', meaning 'to flatter' or 'to caress'. The root of 'blandiri' is the Latin adjective 'blandus', meaning 'flattering, smooth, charming'.
The word 'bland', meaning mild or gentle, also comes directly from the Latin 'blandus'. Similarly, 'blandishment', meaning flattery or coaxing, shares the same Latin root 'blandiri' through Old French.