Ingratiations

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An act or effort aimed at establishing favor or goodwill with someone
2. The process of trying to win someone’s approval through flattery or service
3. A strategy involving the use of charm or kind gestures to gain a positive relationship with others

Etymology: "Ingratiations" is simply the plural of "ingratiation," a noun meaning an act of working to win someone's favor. The singular it is built on comes from "ingratiate," which is formed from the Latin prefix "in-" and the adjective "gratiosus," meaning "agreeable" or "pleasing," itself rooted in "gratia," "favor" or "grace." The same root gives English "grace," "gratitude," and "gratis."