coddle

American  

[kod-l] / ˈkɒd l /

verb (used with object)

coddled, coddling

1. to treat tenderly; nurse or tend indulgently; pamper.

   to coddle children when they're sick.

   Synonyms:

   spoil, humor, baby, indulge

2. to cook (eggs, fruit, etc.) in water that is just below the boiling point; cook gently.

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coddle British  

/ ˈkɒdəl /

verb

1. to treat with indulgence

2. to cook (something, esp eggs) in water just below the boiling point

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noun

1. dialect stew made from ham and bacon scraps

Other Word Forms

• coddler noun
• uncoddled adjective

Etymology

Origin of coddle

1590–1600; variant of caudle, v. use of caudle

Example Sentences

Indeed, Secretary Warfighter’s need for constant coddling is being ever more severely exposed as this scandal unfolds.

From Salon

“For all I know, those dancing chickens would enjoy a bit of coddling. And who does not like to hear a good story?”

From Literature

For a panda to survive in the wild, a panda must be wild—and that can’t happen if it’s been cuddled and coddled and cared for by humans before it’s released.

From Literature

The final stretch requires more coddling and, of course, cost.

From The Wall Street Journal

The death of Manzo — who cut a national reputation by insisting that officials coddled criminals — only heightened a pervasive sense of vulnerability, especially in places like Michoacán.

From Los Angeles Times