hug

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)

CIDE DICTIONARY

hug, v. i. [Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. sidde paa huk to squat, Sw. huka sig to squat, Icel. hka. Cf. Huckster.].

•  To cower; to crouch; to curl up.  Palsgrave.  [1913 Webster]
•  To crowd together; to cuddle.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

hug, v. t. 

•  To press closely within the arms; to clasp to the bosom; to embrace.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]
•  To hold fast; to cling to; to cherish.  [1913 Webster]

  "We hug deformities if they bear our names."  [1913 Webster]
•  To keep close to; as, to hug the land; to hug the wind.  [1913 Webster]

To hug one's self, to congratulate one's self; to chuckle.

hug, n. 

 A close embrace or clasping with the arms, as in affection or in wrestling.  Fuller.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

hug, v. & n.
--v.tr. (hugged, hugging)
1 squeeze tightly in one's arms, esp. with affection.
2 (of a bear) squeeze (a person) between its forelegs.
3 keep close to (the shore, kerb, etc.).
4 cherish or cling to (prejudices etc.).
5 refl. congratulate or be pleased with (oneself).
--n.
1 a strong clasp with the arms.
2 a squeezing grip in wrestling.

Derivative

huggable adj.

Etymology

16th c.: prob. f. Scand.: cf. ON hugga console

THESAURUS

hug

abduct, accost, accueil, address, adhere, adhere to, agglomerate, around, bear, bear hug, bite, bob, bosom, bow, bunch, carry off, cherish, clamp, clasp, cleave, cleave to, clench, clinch, cling, cling to, clinging, clip, clot, cluster, clutch, coagulate, cohere, congeal, conglomerate, curtsy, death grip, embosom, embrace, enfold, enfoldment, entertain, firm hold, fold, follow close upon, fondle, foothold, footing, foster, freeze to, glad hand, go with, grapple, grasp, greeting, grip, gripe, grow together, hail, hand-clasp, handshake, hang about, hang on, hang on to, hang together, harbor, have, have and hold, hearty welcome, hello, hold, hold fast, hold on, hold on to, hold tight, hold together, hover over, how-do-you-do, huddle, hug the shore, iron grip, keep, keep close to, keep hold of, kidnap, kiss, lie by, make welcome, march with, mass, never let go, nip, nod, nurse, nurture, open arms, persist, press, purchase, reception, salutation, salute, seizure, set, shanghai, smile, smile of recognition, smiling reception, solidify, squeeze, stand by, stay, stay inshore, stay near, stay put, stick, stick to, stick together, tailgate, take hold of, the glad hand, throttle, tight grip, toehold, treasure, treasure up, wave, welcome, welcome mat, welcoming

ROGET THESAURUS

hug

Coherence

VB cohere, adhere, stick, cling, cleave, hold, take hold of, hold fast, close with, clasp, hug, grow together, hang together, twine round, stick like a leech, stick like wax, stick close, cling like ivy, cling like a bur, adhere like a remora, adhere like Dejanira's shirt, glue, agglutinate, conglutinate, cement, lute, paste, gum, solder, weld, cake, consolidate, agglomerate.

Retention

VB retain, keep, hold fast one's own, hold tight one's own, hold fast one's ground, hold tight one's ground, clinch, clench, clutch, grasp, gripe, hug, have a firm hold of, secure, withhold, detain, hold back, keep back, keep close, husband, reserve, have in stock, have on hand, keep in stock, entail, tie up, settle.

Nearness

VB be near, adjoin, hang about, trench on, border upon, verge upon, stand by, approximate, tread on the heels of, cling to, clasp, hug, huddle, hang upon the skirts of, hover over, burn, touch, bring near, draw near, converge, crowd, place side by side.

Courtesy

N courtesy, respect, good manners, good behavior, good breeding, manners, politeness, bienseance, urbanity, comity, gentility, breeding, polish, presence, civility, civilization, amenity, suavity, good temper, good humor, amiability, easy temper, complacency, soft tongue, mansuetude, condescension, affability, complaisance, pr_evenance, amability, gallantry, pink of politeness, pink of courtesy, compliment, fair words, soft words, sweet words, honeyed phrases, ceremonial salutation, reception, presentation, introduction, accueil, greeting, recognition, welcome, abord, respects, devoir, regards, remembrances, kind regards, kind remembrances, love, best love, duty, empty encomium, flattering remark, hollow commendation, salaams, obeisance, bow, courtesy, curtsy, scrape, salaam, kotow, kowtow, bowing and scraping, kneeling, genuflection, obsequiousness, capping, shaking hands grip of the hand, embrace, hug, squeeze, accolade, loving cup, vin d'honneur, pledge, love token, kiss, buss, salute, mark of recognition, nod, nods and becks and wreathed smiles, valediction, condolence, courteous, polite, civil, mannerly, urbane, well-behaved, well- mannered, well-bred, well-brought up, good-mannered, polished, civilized, cultivated, refined, gentlemanlike, gallant, on one's good behavior, fine spoken, fair spoken, soft-spoken, honey-mouthed, honey- tongued, oily, bland, obliging, conciliatory, complaisant, complacent, obsequious, ingratiating, winning, gentle, mild, good-humored, cordial, gracious, affable, familiar, neighborly, diplomatic, tactful, politic, artful, courteously, with a good grace, with open arms, with outstretched arms, a bras ouverts, suaviter in modo, in good humor, Int, hail!, welcome!, well met!, ave!, all hail!, good day, good morrow!, Godspeed!, pax vobiscum!, may your shadow never be less!, Tien de plus estimable que la ceremonie, the very pink of courtesy.

Love

VB love, like, affect, fancy, care for, take an interest in, be partial to, sympathize with, affection, be in love with, have a love, for, entertain a love, for, harbor cherish a love, for, regard, revere, take to, bear love to, be wedded to, set one's affections on, make much of, feast one's eyes on, hold dear, prize, hug, cling to, cherish, pet, burn, adore, idolize, love to distraction, aimer eperdument, dote on, dote upon, take a fancy to, look sweet upon, become enamored, fall in love with, lose one's heart, desire, excite love, win the heart, gain the heart, win the affections, gain the affections, secure the love, engage the affections, take the fancy of have a place in the heart, wind round the heart, attract, attach, endear, charm, fascinate, captivate, bewitch, seduce, enamor, enrapture, turn the head, get into favor, ingratiate oneself, insinuate oneself, worm oneself, propitiate, curry favor with, pay one's court to, faire l'aimable, set one's cap at, flirt.

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.