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MWcajole

cajole

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ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms


ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms


ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms


ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms


ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms


ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms


ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms


ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms


ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms


ca​jole
verb
ca·​jole
kə-ˈjōl
ca​joled; ca​jol​ing

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance coax //had to cajole them into going
    to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion //cajoled money from his parents
  • to deceive with soothing words or false promises //cajoled himself with thoughts of escape. — Robertson Davies
Other Words
  • ca​jole​ment kə-ˈjōl-mənt noun
  • ca​jol​er noun
  • ca​jol​ery kə-ˈjō-lə-rē noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
blandish blarney coax palaver soft-soap sweet-talk wheedle
Examples
  • //cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
First Known Use
1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
borrowed from French cajoler "to give much attention to, make a fuss over, flatter, persuade with flattery," going back to Middle French cajoller "to flatter out of self-interest," perhaps the same verb as Middle French cageoller "to vocalize, sing (of a jay or other bird)," expressive formation of uncertain origin

NOTE: Middle French cageoller was explained by Wartburg, et al., Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, as a permutation, under the influence of cage cage entry 1, of gaioler "to chatter, cackle (of birds)," a derivative of Picard gaiole "birdcage," corresponding to Old French geole, jaole "cage, prison" (see jail entry 1). According to Dubois-Mitterand-Dauzat, Dictionaire étymologique et historique du français (Larousse, 1993, continuing the etymology from earlier editons of Dauzat), the meaning "to flatter" is due to association of cageoller with enjôler "to captivate by flattery" (Old French enjaoiler "to imprison"). Alternatively, the two formations ("to sing, vocalize" and "to flatter") have been regarded as of independent origin; the first may either be an onomatopoeic outgrowth of cacarder "to honk (of a goose)," or a rearrangement of *jacoler, based on jacques, a dialectal name for a jay; the second is conjecturally a merger of enjôler and caresser "to stroke, caress entry 1" (thus E. Gamillscheg, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der französischen Sprache, 2. Auflage, Winter, 1969).

cajole
verb

Synonyms & Antonyms

cajole — MW · Shobdo