cuddle
English edit
Etymology edit
Origin uncertain, but probably from a frequentative form of Middle English *cudden, cuththen, keththen (“to embrace”), a variant of cuthen, kuthen, kithen (“to be familiar with, make known”), from Middle English cuth, couth (“known, familiar”), equivalent to couth + -le. Cognate with Middle Dutch kudden (“to come together, flock together”). More at couth.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
cuddle (plural cuddles)
- A snuggle; an affectionate embrace, often given to family members and close friends.
- Give me a cuddle, Paul, it'll cheer you up.
Translations edit
affectionate embrace
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Verb edit
cuddle (third-person singular simple present cuddles, present participle cuddling, simple past and past participle cuddled)
- (intransitive) To embrace affectionately; to lie together snugly.
- The young lovers cuddled on the couch.
- (transitive) To cradle in one's arms so as to give comfort, warmth.
- She cuddled the infant before bedtime.
- I'm cold; can you roll over here and cuddle me, honey?
- To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle.
- 1717, Matthew Prior, The Dove:
- She cuddles low behind the brake; / Nor would she stay, nor dares she fly.
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
embrace, lie together snugly
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cradle in one's arms
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