different between nestle vs cosset

English

Etymology

From Middle English nestelen, nestlen, from Old English nistlan, nestlian, nistlian (“to make or build a nest”), from Proto-West Germanic *nistil?n (“to build or occupy a nest; nestle”), equivalent to nest +? -le. Cognate with Middle Low German nëstelen (“to build a nest”), Dutch nestelen (“to nest, nestle”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?s?l/
• Rhymes: -?s?l

Verb

nestle (third-person singular simple present nestles, present participle nestling, simple past and past participle nestled)

1. To settle oneself comfortably and snugly.
2. To press oneself against another affectionately.
3. (intransitive) To lie half-hidden or in shelter.
   • 1623, Francis Bacon, A Discourse of a War with Spain

     Their purpose was to fortify in some strong place of the wild and desolate country, and there to nestle till greater succours came.

4. (archaic, ornithology, intransitive) To build or sit upon a nest.
5. (archaic, ornithology, transitive) Of a bird: to look after its young.
   • 1871, Gardeners Chronicle & New Horticulturist (volume 31, page 123)

     This assimilates them more nearly to the natural conditions when the hen nestles her chicks on the earth, whilst the warmth is given chiefly over their backs.

6. (transitive) To move or place into a comfortable position
   • 1862, William S. Woodbridge, Captain Paul's Adventure

     She made no answer, but her fingers nervously nestled the leaves of a book.

Synonyms

• (to settle oneself comfortably): settle
• (to press oneself against another affectionately): cuddle, snuggle

Related terms

• nest

Translations

Anagrams

• lentes

German

Pronunciation

Verb

nestle

1. inflection of nesteln:
   1. first-person singular present
   2. first/third-person singular subjunctive I
   3. singular imperative

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