nuzzle

nuzzle
verb (nuzzled; nuzzling) Etymology: Middle English noselen to bring the nose toward the ground, from nose Date: 1530 intransitive verb 1. to work with or as if with the nose; especially to root, rub, or snuff something 2. to lie close or snug transitive verb 1. to root, rub, or touch with or as if with the nose 2. to rub or push gently (as one's face) against something

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Nuzzle — Nuz zle (n[u^]z z l), v. i. [Dim. fr. nose. See {Nozzle}.] 1. To work with the nose, like a swine in the mud. [1913 Webster] And nuzzling in his flank, the loving swine Sheathed, unaware, the tusk in his soft groin. Shak. [1913 Webster] He… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Nuzzle — Nuz zle (n[u^]z z l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Nuzzled} (n[u^]z z ld);p. pr. & vb. n. {Nuzzling} (n[u^]z zl[i^]ng).] [See {Noursle}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To noursle or nurse; to foster; to bring up. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The people had been nuzzled in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nuzzle — (v.) early 15c., to bring the nose to the ground, back formation from noselyng on the nose, prostrate, frequentative of NOSE (Cf. nose) (v.); meaning burrow with the nose is first attested 1520s; that of lie snug is from 1590s, influenced by… …   Etymology dictionary

  • nuzzle — [v] cuddle bundle, burrow, caress, fondle, nestle, nudge, pet, snug, snuggle; concepts 190,612 …   New thesaurus

  • nuzzle — ► VERB ▪ rub or push against gently with the nose and mouth. ORIGIN from NOSE(Cf. ↑nose) …   English terms dictionary

  • nuzzle — [nuz′əl] vt. nuzzled, nuzzling [ME noselen < nose, NOSE + freq. elen] 1. to push against or rub with the nose, snout, muzzle, etc. 2. to root up with the nose or snout: said of a pig, etc. vi. 1. to push or rub with the nose, etc. against or… …   English World dictionary

  • nuzzle up — v. (D; intr.) to nuzzle up against; to (the dog nuzzled up against her) * * * to (the dog nuzzle upd up against her) (D;intr.) to nuzzle up against …   Combinatory dictionary

  • nuzzle — nuz|zle [ˈnʌzəl] v also nuzzle up [I always + adverb/preposition, T] [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: nose] to gently rub or press your nose or head against someone to show you like them ▪ Evan leaned forward and began nuzzling her shoulder. nuzzle… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • nuzzle — UK [ˈnʌz(ə)l] / US verb [intransitive/transitive] Word forms nuzzle : present tense I/you/we/they nuzzle he/she/it nuzzles present participle nuzzling past tense nuzzled past participle nuzzled to press your nose or face against something gently …   English dictionary

  • nuzzle — Noursle Nour sle, v. t. [Freq., fr. OE. nourse. See {Nurse}.] To nurse; to rear; to bring up. [Obs.] [Written also {nosel}, {nousel}, {nousle}, {nowsle}, {nusle}, {nuzzle}, etc.] [1913 Webster] She noursled him till years he raught. Spenser.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nuzzle — /nuz euhl/, v., nuzzled, nuzzling, n. v.i. 1. to burrow or root with the nose, snout, etc., as an animal does: a rabbit nuzzling into the snow. 2. to thrust the nose, muzzle, etc.: The dog nuzzled up to his master. 3. to lie very close to someone …   Universalium

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