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Flag: gbEnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary
cription: '> ˈkäd-liŋ

Definition

  • transitive ​verb
  • to cook (something, such as eggs) in liquid slowly and gently just below the boiling point //coddled the eggs for the Caesar salad
  • to treat with extreme or excessive care or kindness pamper //accused the court of coddling criminals //colleges that coddle their athletes
Other Words
  • cod​dler ˈkä-dᵊl-ər ˈkäd-lər noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
boil parboil poach simmer stew
Examples
  • //The judges were accused of coddling criminals.
  • //a hearty, traditional breakfast that included coddled eggs
First Known Use
1651, in the meaning defined at sense 2
History and Etymology
perhaps altered from caudle "to administer a caudle to," verbal derivative of caudle

NOTE: The meaning "to pamper," earlier "to treat as if in need of nursing," attested from the second half of the 18th century, cannot be related with certainty to the cooking sense and may be of distinct origin.

coddle
verb

Synonyms

Other Words
  • cod​dler ˈkä-dᵊl-ər ˈkäd-lər noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
boil parboil poach simmer stew
Examples
  • //The judges were accused of coddling criminals.
  • //a hearty, traditional breakfast that included coddled eggs
First Known Use
1651, in the meaning defined at sense 2
History and Etymology
perhaps altered from caudle "to administer a caudle to," verbal derivative of caudle

NOTE: The meaning "to pamper," earlier "to treat as if in need of nursing," attested from the second half of the 18th century, cannot be related with certainty to the cooking sense and may be of distinct origin.

coddle
verb

Synonyms