different between cuddle vs cosset

English

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): /?k?d.l?/
• Rhymes: -?d?l

Noun

cuddle (plural cuddles)

1. A snuggle; an affectionate embrace, often given to family members and close friends.

Translations

Verb

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

1. (intransitive) To embrace affectionately, lie together snugly.

   The young lovers cuddled on the couch.

2. (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?

3. 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

Translations

Anagrams

• dulced

English

Etymology

Perhaps from Middle English cotsete, from Old English cots?ta (“cottager”), from cot (“cottage”) (Modern English cot (“cottage”) (archaic)) + -s?ta (“-sitter”); compare coscet. Compare German Hauslamm (literally “house lamb”), Italian casiccio.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /?k?s?t/

Verb

cosset (third-person singular simple present cossets, present participle cosseting or cossetting, simple past and past participle cosseted or cossetted)

1. (transitive) To treat like a pet; to overly indulge. [from 1650s]

2. (transitive) To fondle; to touch or stroke lovingly.

Synonyms

• (to treat like a pet): coddle, posset; see also Thesaurus:pamper
• (to fondle): caress, pet; see also Thesaurus:fondle

Derived terms

• cosseted
• cosseting

Translations

Noun

cosset (plural cossets)

1. A pet, usually a pet lamb. [from 1570s]
2. Someone indulged or cosseted. [from 1590s]

See also

• cub
• kid
• fawn
• kitten

References

Anagrams

• Costes, cosets, scotes