different between nuzzle vs fondle

English

Etymology

Early 15th century Middle English noselyng, as nose + -lyng (“(frequentative)”) (modern English nose +? -le (“(frequentative)”)). Modern affectionate, intimate sense 1590s, possibly influenced by nestle or nursle (frequentative of nurse).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /n?z?l/
• Rhymes: -?z?l

Verb

nuzzle (third-person singular simple present nuzzles, present participle nuzzling, simple past and past participle nuzzled)

1. (transitive, intransitive) (of animals, lovers, etc) To touch someone or something with the nose.

   The horse nuzzled its foal's head gently to wake him up.

   The bird nuzzled up to the wires of the cage.

   She nuzzled her boyfriend in the cinema.

2. (obsolete) To nurse; to foster; to bring up.
3. (obsolete) To nestle; to house, as in a nest.
4. (obsolete) To go along with the nose to the ground, like a pig.
   • 1712, John Arbuthnot, The History of John Bull

     He charg'd through an army of lawyers, sometimes with sword in hand, at other times nuzzling like an eel in the mud.

Related terms

• nursle

Translations

References

• Folk-etymology: a dictionary of verbal corruptions or words perverted in form or meaning, by false derivation or mistaken analogy, Abram Smythe Palmer, G. Bell and Sons, 1882, p. 261

English

Etymology

fond +? -le (frequentative suffix).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f?ndl/
• Rhymes: -?nd?l

Verb

fondle (third-person singular simple present fondles, present participle fondling, simple past and past participle fondled)

1. To touch or stroke lovingly.

2. To grasp.

Synonyms

• (to touch or stroke lovingly): dandle, pet, touch up; see also Thesaurus:fondle
• (to grasp): clutch, grab, nim; see also Thesaurus:grasp

Derived terms

• fondler
• fondlingly

Translations

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “fondle”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Anagrams

• Folden, enfold, folden