wheedler

Variant of wheedle

transitive verb, intransitive verb wheedled, wheedling

  1. to influence or persuade (a person) by flattery, soothing words, coaxing, etc.
  2. to get (something) by coaxing or flattery

Origin: 17th-c. cant < ? Ger wedeln, to wag the tail, fan, hence to flatter < wedel, a fan, tail

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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