Hypertext Webster Gateway: "coddle"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Coddle \Cod"dle\ (k[o^]d"d'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Coddled}
(-d'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Coddling} (-dl[i^]ng).] [Cf.
{Prov}. E. caddle to coax, spoil, fondle, and {Cade}, a. & v.
t.] [Written also {codle}.]
1. To parboil, or soften by boiling.
It [the guava fruit] may be coddled. --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! --Thackeray.
He [Lord Byron] never coddled his reputation.
--Southey.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
coddle
v 1: treat with excessive indulgence; "grandparents often pamper
the children"; "Let's not mollycoddle our students!"
[syn: {pamper}, {featherbed}, {cosset}, {cocker}, {baby},
{mollycoddle}, {spoil}, {indulge}]
2: cook in nearly boiling water; "coddle eggs"
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