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cuddle

noun, verb — 6 senses

cuddle

noun

/ˈkʌd.l̩/

Etymology 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.

1

US An intimate physical embrace, typically while lying (or sitting): a snuggle, an instance of lying together snugly, as one might with a partner (more intimate than a hug, and typically of longer duration).

  • I'm so impatient / I can't stand the wait / When will I get my cuddle?1995, “I Miss You”, in Post, performed by Björk:
2

UK An affectionate embrace, a hug, such as is given to family members and close friends (less intimate than a snuggle, and typically of shorter duration).

  • Give me a cuddle, Paul; it'll cheer you up.
Derived terms
cuddlecore, cuddlee, cuddlefest, cuddle-seat, cuddlicious

cuddle

verb

Etymology 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.

1

US To lie together snugly (with someone), in an intimate physical embrace; to snuggle.

  • The young lovers cuddled on the couch.
2

UK To embrace (someone) affectionately; to hug (someone) closely.

3

To cradle (e.g. a baby) 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?
4

To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle.

  • She cuddles low behind the brake; / Nor would she stay, nor dares she fly.1717, Matthew Prior, The Dove:
Derived terms
come-and-cuddle-me, cuddlable, cuddle buddy, cuddle bug, cuddle bunny, cuddlee, cuddlefuck, cuddle puddle, cuddler, cuddleslut, cuddlesome, cuddle up, cuddly, cuddly-wuddly, uncuddled

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.

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