Pronunciation: [ˈadjʊlˌe͡ɪts] (IPA) 
The word "adulates" is spelled with five letters (a, d, u, l, and t) and three vowel sounds (/æ/, /ju/, and /eɪ/). The first syllable, "ad", starts with the short "a" sound /æ/. The second syllable "u" follows with the "oo" sound /ju/. The last syllable "ates" ends with the diphthong /eɪ/, where the "a" sound glides to the "e" sound. The IPA phonetic transcription shows the way we pronounce each sound in the word "adulates."
The term "adulates" is a verb that refers to the act of excessively praising or admiring someone or something, often to gain favor or gratification. It involves expressing exaggerated admiration, flattery, or fawning in an attempt to ingratiate oneself or appeal to the ego of the person being adulated.
When someone adulates another individual, they shower them with compliments and accolades, sometimes untruthfully or insincerely, in order to manipulate or gain advantages. Adulation could stem from a genuine admiration, but it often emphasizes extreme and exaggerated praise beyond what is warranted.
This term tends to be associated with excessive and insincere praise, highlighting a certain level of superficiality or ulterior motive. Adulations are commonly observed in various fields, such as politics, entertainment, and personal relationships, where individuals may engage in excessive praise or flattery to gain power, maintain alliances, or receive favoritism.
Adulation can be seen as a double-edged sword, as it may boost the recipient's ego and confidence, but it can also create an unhealthy dynamic based on superficiality and falsehood. In certain cases, individuals may become desensitized to adulation and develop a skepticism towards excessive praise, which ultimately diminishes its desired effect.
Overall, "adulates" refers to the act of excessively praising or admiring someone with the intention of manipulating, gaining favors, or satisfying personal desires.
The word "adulates" is derived from the Latin verb "adulārī", which means "to fawn upon", "to flatter", or "to praise excessively". This Latin word, in turn, is believed to have originated from the adjective "adula" meaning "that which causes flattery or adulation". Ultimately, the root of "adulārī" is uncertain, but some sources suggest a possible connection to the Proto-Indo-European root "*h₂eu-dʰ-" meaning "to dry" or "to smoke". This potential link may reflect the notion of blowing smoke or emitting pleasing words as a form of flattery.
