coddle

Verb
US[kod-uhl]/ˈkɑdəl/2 syllables
Synonyms: pamperfeatherbedcossetcockerbabymollycoddlespoilindulge

Open English WordNet

Verb (2)coddled, coddling

  1. treat with excessive indulgence“grandparents often pamper the children”“Let's not mollycoddle our students!”Synonyms: pamperfeatherbedcossetcockerbabymollycoddlespoilindulgeMore general treat, handle
  2. cook in nearly boiling water“coddle eggs”More general cook

Related words humoring noun, pampering noun

Word of the day · Oct 29About this word
epiphanynoun

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Cod′dle (kŏd′d'l), transitive verb [past tense & past participle Coddled (-d'ld); present participle & verbal noun Coddling (-dlĭng).] [Written also codle.]

Origin: Cf. Prov. E. caddle to coax, spoil, fondle, and Cade, adjective & transitive verb

1. To parboil, or soften by boiling.

It [the guava fruit] may be coddled.— William Dampier

2. To treat with excessive tenderness; to pamper.

How many of our English princes have been coddled at home by their fond papas and mammas!— William M. Thackeray
He [Lord Byron] never coddled his reputation.— Robert Southey

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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