ingratiate
/ɪnˈɡreɪʃi.eɪt/
verb
Origin
Latin
in- + gratia — into + favor/grace
Overview
Meaning Now
- To bring oneself into favor with someone by deliberate effort.
- To flatter or manipulate someone to secure their good opinion.
Literal older meaning
To bring into the grace or favor of another.
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
ingratiate
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The verb was coined in English in the early 17th century, likely influenced by the Italian word 'ingraziarsi'. It initially described the process of making oneself acceptable to a person of higher status or power, often implying a degree of calculated social maneuvering.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*gwrh-to-
“favored/dear”
- Latin
gratia
“favor, grace, pleasantness”
- 17th century English
ingratiate
“to commend to another's favor”
Formed as a back-formation from 'ingratiating' or modeled on Italian 'ingraziarsi'.
Connections
Word parts
in-
prefix
into, towards
grati-
root
grace, favor
-ate
suffix
suffix used to form verbs
Related across languages
Italian
ingraziarsi
to ingratiate oneself
French
ingrat
ungrateful
Related words
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Related to ingratiate
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.