coddle

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: cod=dle

CIDE DICTIONARY

coddle, v. t. [Cf. Prov. E. caddle to coax, spoil, fondle, and Cade, a. & v. t.].

•  To parboil, or soften by boiling.  [1913 Webster]

  "It [the guava fruit] may be coddled."  [1913 Webster]
•  To treat with excessive tenderness; to pamper.  [1913 Webster]

  "How many of our English princes have been coddled at home by their fond papas and mammas!"  [1913 Webster]

  "He [Lord Byron] never coddled his reputation."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

coddle, v.tr.
1 a treat as an invalid; protect attentively. b (foll. by up) strengthen by feeding.
2 cook (an egg) in water below boiling point.

Derivative

coddler n.

Etymology

prob. dial. var. of caudle invalids' gruel

THESAURUS

coddle

baby, bake, barbecue, baste, bay, blanch, boil, braise, brew, broil, brown, care for, caress, cater to, cherish, cocker, cook, cosset, cotton, cradle, cultivate, curry, dandle, devil, do, do to perfection, dry-nurse, favor, feed, fire, fondle, foster, fricassee, frizz, frizzle, fry, give way to, gratify, griddle, grill, heat, humor, indulge, lavish care on, mollycoddle, mother, much, nourish, nurse, nurture, oblige, oven-bake, pamper, pan, pan-broil, parboil, pat, pet, please, poach, prepare, prepare food, roast, satisfy, saute, scallop, sear, shirr, simmer, spoil, spoon-feed, steam, stew, stir-fry, suckle, sustain, toast, wet-nurse, yield to

ROGET THESAURUS

coddle

Endearment

VB caress, fondle, pet, dandle, pat, pat on the head, pat on the cheek, chuck under the chin, smile upon, coax, wheedle, cosset, coddle, cocker, cockle, make of, make much of, cherish, foster, kill with kindness, clasp, hug, cuddle, fold in one's arms, strain in one's arms, nestle, nuzzle, embrace, kiss, buss, smack, blow a kiss, salute, fold to the heart, press to the bosom, bill and coo, spoon, toy, dally, flirt, coquet, gallivant, galavant, philander, make love, pay one's court to, pay one's addresses to, pay one's attentions to, serenade, court, woo, set one's cap at, be sweet upon, look sweet upon, ogle, cast sheep's eyes upon, faire les yeux doux, fall in love with, win the affections, die for, propose, make an offer, have an offer, pop the question, plight one's troth, plight one's faith.