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cuddle

7 dictionary results for: cuddle

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

cud·dle

[kuhd-l] Pronunciation Key verb, -dled, -dling, noun

–verb (used with object)

1.	to hold close in an affectionate manner; hug tenderly; fondle.

–verb (used without object)

2.	to lie close and snug; nestle.

3.	to curl up in going to sleep.

–noun

4.	act of cuddling; hug; embrace.

[Origin: 1510–20; perh. back formation from ME cudliche intimate, affectionate, OE cūthlīc, or from ME cuthlechen, OE cūthlǣcan to make friends with; see couth², -ly

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

cud·dle   (kŭd'l) Pronunciation Key
v.   cud·dled, cud·dling, cud·dles

v.   tr.
To fondle in the arms; hug tenderly. See Synonyms at caress.

v.   intr.
To nestle; snuggle.

n.   The act of cuddling; a hug or embrace.

[Origin unknown.]

cud'dle·some, cud'dly adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cuddle

c.1520, probably a variant of obs. cull, coll "to embrace" (see collar), or perhaps M.E. *couthelen, from couth "known," hence "comfortable with." The word has a spotty early history, and it seems to have been a nursery word at first.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

cuddle
noun
1.	a close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace
verb
1.	move or arrange oneself in a comfortable and cozy position; "We cuddled against each other to keep warm"; "The children snuggled into their sleeping bags"
2.	hold (a person or thing) close, as for affection, comfort, or warmth; "I cuddled the baby"

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Cuddle

Cud"dle\ (k[u^]d"d'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Cuddled (-d'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Cuddling (-dl[i^]ng).] [Prob. for couthle, fr. couth known; cf. OE. ku[thorn][thorn]en to cuddle, or cu[eth]lechen to make friends with. SeeCouth, Uncouth, Can.] To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle.

She cuddles low beneath the brake; Nor would she stay, nor dares she fly. --Prior.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Cuddle

Cud"dle\, v. t. To embrace closely; to fondle. --Forby.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Cuddle

Cud"dle\, n. A close embrace.

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