/cuddle/definition

/cuddle/

-) Verb.

-) Pronunciation and accent: kʌd(ə)l.

-) Etymology: of uncertain origin.

-) Preterite tense: cuddled. Preterite participle: cuddled.

-) Present participle: cuddling.

-) Transitively: to embrace (someone) fondly or snugly; to draw close (an animated being, or a thing) within one’s arms, for warmth or comfort, or as a result of affection.

-) Synonyms for “cuddle”: to snuggle, hug. 

-) Translation: étreindre câlinement, in French; abrazar cariñosamente, in Spanish; abbracciare coccolando, in Italian.

… he cuddled his pillow, just like a baby.

Gaskell… Cranford… 1851

She cuddled the baby's face in her neck.

Bell… Carolina Lee… 1907

Miri shuddered and cuddled her cat closer.

Carroll… The Courtesan… 2005

-) Intransitively: 1. (of two or more animated beings) to lie snug or close for warmth or comfort, or as a result of affection.

-) Synonym: snuggle.

There were times, when he was cuddling against Eleanor or tumbling about in the sun, that he was almost pretty.

Delano… The Land of Content… 1913

As Dale punched the keys on his phone, he tried not to watch Alexandria and the cat cuddling together.

Snopek… More Great Cat Stories… 2004

-) 2. (Of an animated being) to lie or sit with the knees drawn up comfortably; to curl up, in order to sleep. Also found in reflexive construction.

Katrina cuddled herself down like a kitten, in the sun, on the piazza steps, and looking up at me, as I sat in this sheltered corner, said approvingly 

 H. Jackson… Glimpses of Three Coasts… 1886

-) Words derived from cuddle: cuddle (noun), cuddleable, cuddlesome, cuddly, cuddling (noun).