coddle

== English == === Etymology === Probably from caudle. Compare British dialect caddle (“to coax, spoil, fondle”) and cade. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈkɒd.əl/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈkɑ.dəl/ (Australian) IPA(key): /ˈkɔd.əl/ Rhymes: -ɒdəl === Verb === coddle (third-person singular simple present coddles, present participle coddling, simple past and past participle coddled) (transitive) To treat gently or with great care. (transitive) To cook slowly in hot water that is below the boiling point. (transitive) To exercise excessive or damaging authority in an attempt to protect. To overprotect. ==== Synonyms ==== (treat gently): cosset, pamper, posset, spoil; see also Thesaurus:pamper (cook slowly): simmer ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== scald ==== Translations ==== === Noun === coddle (plural coddles) An Irish dish comprising layers of roughly sliced pork sausages and bacon rashers with sliced potatoes and onions. (archaic) An effeminate person. === Anagrams === codled