cuddle

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.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkʌd.l̩/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌdəl

Noun

cuddle (plural cuddles)

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).
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.

Verb

cuddle (third-person singular simple present cuddles, present participle cuddling, simple past and past participle cuddled)

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

   The young lovers cuddled on the couch.

2. (UK, intransitive, transitive) To embrace (someone) affectionately; to hug (someone) closely.
3. (transitive) 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.
   • 1717, Matthew Prior, The Dove:

     She cuddles low behind the brake; / Nor would she stay, nor dares she fly.

Anagrams

• dulced