coddle

[ kod-l ]
See synonyms for coddle on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),cod·dled, cod·dling.
  1. to treat tenderly; nurse or tend indulgently; pamper: to coddle children when they're sick.

  2. to cook (eggs, fruit, etc.) in water that is just below the boiling point; cook gently.

Origin of coddle

1
1590–1600; variant of caudle, v. use of caudle

Other words for coddle

Other words from coddle

  • coddler, noun
  • un·cod·dled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use coddle in a sentence

  • If coddling is done, however, they like to pick their coddlers.

    Nonsenseorship | G. G. Putnam and Others

British Dictionary definitions for coddle

coddle

/ (ˈkɒdəl) /


verb(tr)
  1. to treat with indulgence

  2. to cook (something, esp eggs) in water just below the boiling point

noun
  1. Irish dialect stew made from ham and bacon scraps

Origin of coddle

1
C16: of obscure origin; perhaps related to caudle

Derived forms of coddle

  • coddler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012