nuzzle
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Early 15th century Middle English noselyng, as nose + -lyng (“(frequentive)”) (modern English nose + -le (“(frequentive)”)). Modern affectionate, intimate sense 1590s, possibly influenced by nestle or nursle (frequentive of nurse).[1]
[edit] Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ʌzəl
[edit] Verb
nuzzle (third-person singular simple present nuzzles, present participle nuzzling, simple past and past participle nuzzled)
- (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.
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Translations
touch with the nose
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
[edit] 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
