nuzzlen.
/ˈnʌzl/, U.S. /ˈnəz(ə)l/ An act of nuzzling; a rub with the nose.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [noun] > rubbing with the nose
nuzzle1865
1865 Mind in Nature I. 142 in Cent. Dict. (1890) 4045/3 Horses, cows, deer, and dogs even, nuzzle each other; but then a nuzzle, being performed with the nose, is not a kiss.
1990 Washington Post (Nexis) 28 Nov. b2 [He] means to bite the hand that feeds him—or, to be a trifle more accurate, to give it an affectionate nuzzle in the guise of a bite.
1999 Cosmopolitan (U.K. ed.) Mar. 80/2 Sex therapists urge lovers to savour each act, whether a neck nuzzle or thigh stroke.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
nuzzlev.1
/ˈnʌzl/, U.S. /ˈnəz(ə)l/α. late Middle English nosel, 1500s nosyll, 1500s 1700s nosle, 1800s– nozzle; Scottish 1800s nozzle.
β. 1500s nouzel, 1500s–1600s nousle, 1500s–1600s nouzle; English regional 1800s– nowzel, 1900s– nouzle.
γ. 1500s nuszle, 1500s–1600s nusle, 1500s–1600s nustle, 1600s nussell, 1600s nuzel, 1600s nuzzel, 1600s–1700s nussle, 1600s–1700s nuzle, 1600s– nuzzle; English regional 1800s– nusle, 1800s– nussle; Scottish 1900s– knuzle, 1900s– nuzle, 1900s– nuzzle.
δ. English regional 1800s– noosle; Scottish 1800s– noozle, 1900s– noozzle.
ε. Scottish 1800s nissle (Clydesdale), 1800s nizle (Clydesdale).
η. Scottish (Roxburghshire) 1900s– knuizle, 1900s– nuizle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > move downwards [verb (intransitive)] > bend down
stoopc893
bowOE
aloutOE
fold13..
bendc1374
courbe1377
curb1377
inclinec1390
declinea1400
nuzzlec1450
buckle1600
doup1694
huckle1854
overbend1856
c1450 (?c1425) St. Elizabeth of Spalbeck in Anglia (1885) 8 109 (MED) Sche noseles downe forwarde and wonderly crokes her body.
2.
a. intransitive. To burrow or dig with the nose; to thrust the nose into the ground or something lying on the ground; (in later use) esp. to rootle for fodder. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (intransitive)] > grub or root about in the earth
nuzzle1530
grub1647
rootle1803
grubble1867
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 645/1 I nosyll, as a swyne dothe in the yerth with her groyne, je fouille du museau.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lvi. 156 The male pigges..will nouzle and turne vp the grounde tenne or twelue paces further of..than the females do.
1595 E. Spenser Colin Clouts come Home Againe sig. D3v In pleasures wastefull well..like Moldwarps nousling still they lurke.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique vii. xxviii. 854 The wilde bore..willingly followeth one furrowe, nusling all along the ridge vntill he come to the ende of it.
1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue ii. 51 This Bore one of the Groomes found nuzzeling in the litter,..turning it all topsie-turuy.
1707 tr. M.-C. d'Aulnoy Diverting Wks. 440 She trotted away, grunting and nuzling with her Snout.
1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull Still in Senses vii. 31 Sir Roger shook his Ears, and nuzled along, well-satisfied within himself that he was doing a charitable Work.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 347 It was not made to entice the smell of a mole, nuzzling and burying himself in his mother earth. View more context for this quotation
1814 W. Scott Waverley III. xvi. 237 Davie all this while lay with his nose almost in the fire, nuzzling among the ashes. View more context for this quotation
1866 J. B. Rose tr. Ovid Metamorphoses 61 Mingling with steers and nuzzling in the grass.
1886 T. Hardy Mayor of Casterbridge I. v. 61 Like sows nuzzling for acorns.
1979 Washington Post (Nexis) 12 Jan. (Weekend section) 29 At dawn he heard and then saw half a dozen [deer] passing through brush below him, nipping at honeysuckle, nuzzling for acorns, wagging their tails.
b. transitive. To root up with the nose or snout; to push aside with the nose (also with other constructions).
ΚΠ
1613 N. Breton Answer in Vncasing Machiuils Instr. G j b Swine eats the flowres, then nusles vp the roote.
1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer viii. 1105 Gods herbs of grace To nouzle up; his Vineyard to deface.
1765 Ann. Reg. 1764 ii. 87/2 The sheep industriously nosled it aside to bite a blade.
1846 B. R. Hall Something for Every Body viii. 39 I am not easily nozzled out of a deep-seated conviction.
1892 S. Hewett Peasant Speech Devon 108 They there pegs be out in tha geārden anuzzling up awl tha tatties.
1986 D. Nabokov tr. V. Nabokov Enchanter (1987) vi. 83 Nuzzling a curl out of the way, cuddling mussily, he tasted..her hot silky neck.
3.
a. intransitive. To poke or push with the nose or snout in or into something. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > strike in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > strike with pushing action > give a push > with the nose
nuzzle1594
nose1891
1594 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis (new ed.) sig. Giiij And nousling in his flanke the louing swine, Sheath'd vnaware the tuske in his soft groine.
1682 N. O. tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux Lutrin iv. 305 A heavy Abbey Lubber! Whose Head was always nuzzling in the Cubber'd!
1751 S. Jenyns Mod. Fine Lady 4 Th' embroider'd Colonel flatters with a Sneer, And the crop'd Ensign nuzzles in her Ear.
1812 W. Tennant Anster Fair ii. viii. 29 The bev'rage wherein fiddlers like to nuzzle.
1843 W. Youatt Horse (new ed.) vii. 150 If a pail of good gruel is placed within his reach, how will he nuzzle in it.
1899 Pall Mall Mag. Feb. 262 ‘Hut, you beast!’ he added,..when the mare nuzzled into his neck.
1911 F. H. Burnett Secret Garden xix. 204 He..put the new-born lamb quietly on his lap, and immediately the little creature turned to the warm velvet dressing-gown and began to nuzzle and nuzzle into its folds.
1991 M. Bragg Maid of Buttermere (BNC) 106 His horse, the reins loosely looped over an upright arm of rock, noisily nuzzled into the cropped turf.
b. intransitive. To keep the nose or snout pressing at or about; to press or rub the nose against.With against the sense approximates to sense 5b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (intransitive)] > twitch or use the nose
muzzle1490
nuzzle1603
sneer1844
nuddle1898
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 220 A nipple..ready for the little babe's mouth, about which to nuzzle and nudgell with its prety lips it taketh pleasure.
1657 G. Thornley tr. Longus Daphnis & Chloe 125 The Lambs riggle and nussle at their dugs.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iv. ii. 23 Carrying them on their Backs, nuzzling with their Face against the Mother's Shoulders.
1855 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm (ed. 2) I. 654/1 Every pig takes its own place, and nuzzles at the udder with the teat held in the mouth.
1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! xviii [The sharks] are nuzzling already at my toes!
1892 R. Kipling Barrack-room Ballads 80 The red mare ran to the Colonel's son, and nuzzled against his breast.
1946 Liberty 1 June 33/1 The barn was full of delight and surprises for a little girl, like..a calf nuzzling at its mother and baby chickens under a hen's wings.
1988 K. M. Peyton Who, Sir? Me, Sir? (BNC) The foal had tottered and swayed and nuzzled at Firelight in all the wrong places and eventually found the right spot to have a slurp of milk.
c. intransitive. figurative and in extended use in various contexts.
ΚΠ
1894 R. Le Gallienne Prose Fancies 188 I could see the boat nuzzling up against the pier.
1952 E. J. Pratt Towards Last Spike 10 Gifts nuzzling at two-hundred-thousand dollars, Elections on, and with a contract pending.
1978 Fleetwood Chron. 13 Oct. 1 (caption) One solitary ship nuzzles against the fish market wall.
1992 M. Hedderwick Highland Journey ii. 93 That wind nuzzling and whistling at the double-glazed window.
4.
a. transitive. To push or thrust (one's nose, head, face, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > insertion or putting in > insert or put in [verb (transitive)] > forcibly > specifically the nose or head
nuzzle1594
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. Kv The Dogge nusling his nose vnder the necke of the Deare.
1683 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 13 133 It nuzzles its head so deep in the coats of the intestines.
1693 T. D'Urfey Richmond Heiress ii. i. 14 You nuzzle your Noses into their Hoods and Commodes, just for all the world like the Picture of Mahomet's Pigeon.
a1732 J. Gay Distress'd Wife (1743) ii. viii. 32 Miss Sprightly and you are always nuzling your Heads together.
1855 W. M. Thackeray Rose & Ring xv They [sc. lions] licked her pretty feet, they nuzzled their noses in her lap.
1860 All Year Round 7 Jan. 258 Some of the wretches were nuzzling their gory heads in the scooped-out stomach.
1892 J. A. Symonds Life in Swiss Highl. vi. 132 Six stalwart horses..nuzzling their noses to the brimful stalls.
1940 J. Buchan Memory Hold-the-Door vi. 142 He found sanctuary in a byre, where he nuzzled his face into the neck of a most astonished cow!
1992 J. Herbert Shrine (BNC) 268 Nancy nuzzled her cheek against his forehead.
b. transitive. Of the nose or snout (or of something likened to a snout, as the muzzle of a gun, etc.): to press against. Also intransitive with various prepositions (cf. sense 3).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > [verb (intransitive)] > exercise sense of smell
smellc1200
smella1300
snokec1380
smell1526
snuff1530
snuffle1601
whiff1635
sniff1788
nose1794
nuzzle1806
snuft1820
snuzzle1861
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. ii. 33 A large bull-dog..who keeps up a stifled growl, with his muzzle nuzzling about your calf.
1842 J. Wilson Recreations Christopher North I. 75 Fro..came bounding along, nor could refrain the bark of delighted passion as his nose nuzzled in the soft down of the bosom of the creature whom [etc.].
1945 ‘G. Orwell’ Animal Farm x Benjamin felt a nose nuzzling at his shoulder. He looked round. It was Clover.
1990 S. Morgan Homeboy xxxix. 241 His groin squirmed feeling again the steel muzzle nuzzling his cojones.
1992 S. Conran Crimson (BNC) 369 David's nose nuzzled the back of her neck.
c. transitive. To touch or rub with the nose, muzzle, etc. Also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touch with the nose > [verb (transitive)]
nuzzle1812
the world > space > distance > nearness > be near to [verb (transitive)] > be in contact with > touch with specific part of body
nose1773
nuzzle1812
knee1892
the world > space > distance > nearness > be near to [verb (transitive)] > be in contact with
toucha1350
meeta1400
to meet witha1400
raise1591
buss1609
taste1634
osculate1740
incidea1774
nuzzle1891
1812 W. Tennant Anster Fair iii. xxxvii. 65 Nuzzling the nasty ground obsequiously.
1883 Longman's Mag. Dec. 200 The vicious animal..began to ‘nuzzle’ me with his nose and prehensile upper lip.
1891 R. Kipling Light that Failed ii. 19 Twenty whale-boats were nuzzling a sand-bank.
1938 M. K. Rawlings Yearling xi. 98 The fawn nuzzled her full udders and began to nurse.
1957 H. Williamson Golden Virgin (1963) i. vi. 94 ‘You want taking out of yourself,’ said Alice, nuzzling his cheek with her nose.
2001 C. Glazebrook Madolescents xxvi. 228 He nuzzles my neck. His lashes are wet.
5.
a. intransitive. To lie snug in bed, etc.; to nestle. Also figurative. Now only with down.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > be comfortable or easy [verb (intransitive)] > nestle snugly
snug1583
nuzzle1597
snug1603
snuggle1840
cose1857
1597 J. Payne Royall Exchange 14 The Lord saw cowldnes and backwardnes in religion, by nuszling to depely in the world.
1601 J. Weever Mirror of Martyrs sig. Biijv Twixt the sheete and pillow I nuzled in, joyn'd knees and chin together.
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iv. viii. 217 At Cock-crowing he takes his bed, and there nuzzles till Hesperus cramps him by the toes.
a1658 J. Cleveland Times 48 in Wks. (1687) 240 Thus Tyranny's a stately Palace, where Ambition sweats to climb and nustle there.
1685 C. Cotton tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. III. 450 Was not this to nustle and settle himself to sleep at greater ease?
1702 C. Beaumont J. Beaumont's Psyche (new ed.) xx. ccx. 309 Th' abstrusest things Which in the Mind's dark Temper nuzling lie, By you exposed are to every eye.
1878 R. Jefferies Gamekeeper at Home 2 The ferret is a shivery creature, and likes nothing so well as to nozzle down in a coat-pocket with a little hay.
1997 New Hampsh. Sunday News (Nexis) 27 July a3 When approached, their [sc. newborn chicks] first instinct is to sit still. Often they will nuzzle down into a footprint or other indentation in the sand.
2002 Herald (Glasgow) (Nexis) 16 Mar. 10 There was no heating and the only succour from a chilly night would be to nuzzle down on your straw mattress behind thickly lined silk or velvet curtains.
b. intransitive. To nestle on or close to (some part of) a person. In later use frequently with up (cf. snuggle v. 1c).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > grub or root about in the earth
wrootc1000
root?1544
rout1569
nuzzle1637
uproot1726
rootle1795
snout1857
the mind > emotion > love > embrace > [verb (intransitive)] > nestle or snuggle up
snug1583
snudge1633
nuzzle1637
snuggle1688
nestle1709
cuddle1710
snuzzle1781
snoozle1831
snuggle1840
pettle1855
coorie1898
1637 T. Heywood Pleasant Dial. v, in Wks. (1874) VI. 201 Will your rest Seeme sweeter, if I nuzzle on your brest?
a1652 R. Brome Novella iii. i. sig. K2, in Five New Playes (1653) To Kisse the hand,..and then embrace, Then nuzzle in the Elizium of your bosome!
1751 F. Coventry Hist. Pompey the Little (ed. 2) i. xvi. 135 In this agreeable situation, nuzzling behind the back of a lousy drab.
a1800 Henley Mirope in J. Galt Rothelan (1824) iii. iv. 36 That artless homage, Which the fond infant to his mother paid, Smiling and nuzzling, hanging to her bosom.
a1849 H. Coleridge Poems (1850) II. 270 Free to nuzzle and to nest In the sweet valley of her breast.
1894 H. Caine Manxman 14 Pete nuzzled up to Philip's side.
1974 S. Middleton Holiday ix. 138 Was she nuzzling up to you behind that hut?
1988 A. Brookner Latecomers vi. 82 As a boy he had liked to nuzzle round Yvette's neck.
c. intransitive. To lie close; (of lovers, etc.) to engage in a close embrace. Frequently with together or with. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > nearness > be near [verb (intransitive)] > be in contact > be in close contact
huga1616
nuzzle1707
cuddle1710
1707 in H. Playford Wit & Mirth (new ed.) III. 70 No Pigs in a Stye..E'er nussl'd so close, Or more Amorous together.
a1739 C. Jarvis tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote (1742) I. iv. xix. 315 Were she what she pretends to be, she would not be nuzzling, at every turn, and in every corner, with somebody that is in the company.
1883 Sat. Rev. 15 Dec. 752 The theory which bids the greatest of all kingdoms huddle and nuzzle with the trumpery republics of yesterday.
1984 D. DeLillo White Noise (1985) i. xv. 70 Elvis and Gladys liked to nuzzle and pet.
1996 New Idea June 5/2 While he performed on stage, Elle was nuzzling in the green room backstage with the unknown Ray Liotta lookalike.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (intransitive)] > touch with fingers
nuzzle1806
1806 [implied in: J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. xii. 317 The dull, drowsy, rumbling, which continues all day long..in your ears, and which all your tweaking, nuzzling, and rummaging at them serves only to increase. (at nuzzling n.2)].
1860 O. W. Holmes Professor at Breakfast-table viii. 248 [The Professor] feels thorax and arm, and nuzzles round among muscles as those horrid old women poke their fingers into the salt-meat on the provision-stalls.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal keeping practices general > [verb (transitive)] > ring nose
ring1446
peg1543
nuzzle1850
1850 J. Ogilvie Imperial Dict. 253/2 Nuzzle, To put a ring into the nose, as of a hog.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† nuzzlev.2
α. 1500s nosel, 1500s nosle, 1500s nossel, 1500s nosyll, 1500s nozel, 1500s nozle, 1500s nozzel, 1500s–1600s nosell, 1500s–1600s nozell.
β. 1500s nousel, 1500s nousell, 1500s nouzzle, 1500s nowsel, 1500s nowselle, 1500s–1600s nousle, 1500s–1600s nouzel, 1500s–1600s nouzell, 1500s–1700s nouzle, 1600s nowsell.
γ. 1500s noosell, 1500s noozel, 1500s noozle, 1500s–1600s noosel.
δ. 1500s nusel, 1500s nusell, 1500s–1600s nusle, 1500s–1600s nussle, 1500s–1700s nussel.
ε. 1500s–1600s nuzel, 1500s–1600s nuzell, 1500s–1600s nuzzel, 1500s–1600s nuzzell, 1500s–1700s nuzle, 1500s–1800s nuzzle.
Obsolete.
1.
a. transitive. To train, educate, nurture (a person) in a particular opinion, habit, custom, etc. Frequently with up.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > training > train [verb (transitive)]
to teach of1297
exercec1374
informc1384
schoolc1456
break1474
instruct1510
nuzzle1519
train1531
train1542
frame1547
experience?c1550
to trade up1556
disciplinea1586
disciple1596
nursle1596
accommodate1640
educate1643
model1665
form1711
to break in1785
scholar1807
α.
β. 1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 587/1 Some be so sore nowseled in the false heresies,..yt finally thei die therin.1579 J. Stubbs Discouerie Gaping Gulf sig. Dj Her father will nousell her in hys own religion.1612 T. James Treat. Corruption Script. (new ed.) iv. 98 To humor their Nouices, and nousle them vp in this fond conceit.1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. vii. 374 The infirmities of people, long nouzled in ignorance and superstition, and incapable of a sudden..alteration.γ. ?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. v. 214 The Danes..weare all readie nooseled in the sweetenesse of the soyle.1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. iv. 225 To noosell his souldiers in licentiousness and cruelty.1606 J. Carpenter Schelomonocham xxviii. f. 118 The man which hath beene long nooseled vp in vices, will..onely with much adoe leaue them.δ. 1553 J. Bale Vocacyon in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) I. 337 Thus were the people nusled vp from their yowth, in calling vpon dead men, and ymages.1583 P. Stubbes Anat. Abuses sig. Ei This must needs be a nice, and curious People, who are thus nusseled vp in such daintie attyre.1621 P. Heylyn Microcosmus 404 This Church he gouerneth by..Bishops, all nusled vp in his superstition.1680 W. de Britaine Humane Prudence iv. 10 The Ends of the Common People, if nusled up in a Factious Liberty, are much different from the Designs of Sovereign Princes.ε. 1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 1225/1 Being an Englishman by birth, and from his infancie..nuzled in papistrie.1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres v. 169 One that had bene nuzled vp in warre euen from a child.a1640 J. Ball Answer to Iohn Can (1642) ii. 18 The ordaining of ignorant ministers..the meanes to nuzzle people in ignorance.1669 W. Simpson Hydrologia Chymica 213 The people may no longer be nuzzled up in the expectation.1519 W. Horman Vulgaria viii. f. 86 It were more a vauntage..that yonge childrens wyttis were other wyse sette a warke: than nossel them in suche errour.
1533 T. Elyot Of Knowl. Wise Man (Dial.) iv. f. 78b The Aristippus, who beinge longe nosyllyd in wordly pleasures, wilt not admit that any thynge, whiche is therunto contrari, may be expedient or necessary unto a man that is vertuous.
?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xxiv. sig. H4 Thus for lukers sake the greasy canonistes nosel the peple in Idolatory.
a1600 R. Hooker Answere Supplic. W. Travers (1612) 31 I take no ioy in striving, I haue not beene nozled or trained vp in it.
b. transitive. In other constructions, esp. with with.
ΚΠ
a1530 T. Lupset Compend. Treat. Dyenge Well (1534) sig. Cviiv Thynges that be euer at hande shulde by theyr famylartytie [sic] and custome nousel vs to sette lyttell by theym.
1530 W. Tyndale Pract. Prelates sig. Hij His mynde was to..kepe him without a wife that..he might haue bene noselled and entangled with hores.
a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 228 They are so nousled to the world and acquainted with sinne.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy iii. iv. i. ii. 734 Possessed with blind zeale, and nusled with superstition.
1689 E. Hickeringill Speech Without-doors ii. 11 Bigotted and Nuzled to maintain Priest-Craft.
1692 T. Wagstaffe Vindic. King Charles x. 74 The London and Westminster Pulpits..nuzzled the People into a resisting the King.
c. transitive (reflexive). reflexive (with in).
ΚΠ
a1530 T. Lupset Exhort. to Yonge Men (1535) sig. Bvi Defende youre vyce, or nowselle youre selfe in a custome of an inordynate desyre.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John xi. 79 Wherein we haue long tyme nusseled our selues.
1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 88/1 He that will cherishe and nousell vp him selfe in wickednesse.
1607 S. Hieron Dignitie of Script. in Wks. (1620) I. 80 The diuell helping them forward with many shifts to nouzell themselues in ignorance.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 49 Doubtlesse he meanes they shall nuzzle up themselves in a dead senselesse estate.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 140 That they might nouzle up themselves the more unsuspectedly in their secret uncleannesse.
2. transitive. To accustom (a dog or hawk) to attacking other animals or birds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal keeping practices general > [verb (transitive)] > tame or train > train to attack
nuzzle1530
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 645/1 I nosyll a yonge thing, I bolden it fyrst to do, or enterprise a thynge, where afore it wanteth boldnesse, Je apprime. I have nosylled my yonge dogge to daye at a beare, he is made for ever.
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 126 If you woulde nousel or enter a haggarde, then do not enter hir or sette hir in bloude vpon a yong praye, or inure hir thereto.
1618 S. Latham New & 2nd Bk. Falconrie xx. 96 Let her kill some two or three more..; it will so nuzzell her, as that shee wil not after misse the wilde Rooke or any other thing.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. xi. 239/2 Nowsell, to entize or inure the Hawk to love to fly at her Prey.
3. transitive. More generally: to bring up, rear; to train, educate. Usually with up.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > upbringing > [verb (transitive)]
i-teon975
forthbringc1000
forthwiseOE
nourishc1300
nurshc1325
feedc1330
updraw1390
uprearc1400
educate1445
norrya1450
nurturea1450
to bring up1484
endue1526
nuzzle1558
rear1558
nurse1584
to breed up1611
cradle1613
breed1650
raise1744
rare1798
mud1814
to fetch up1841
rise1843
1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount To Rdr. Yet haue I alwaies been noseled vp by a certaine ambition and vainglorie.
1568 V. Skinner tr. R. González de Montes Discouery Inquisition of Spayne f. 82v So that hauing such store both of bookes and maisters to instruct them, they began to nosell their whole couent.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. iii. lii. 123 To flesh the Commons, and to nuzzle them up, and acquaint them with exercising crueltie upon the Nobles.
1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 150 What Saint is she, That..Nusles my damned Atheist, makes him curse Nature and fortune?
1645 Proclam. conc. Bk. Common Prayer 5 The Common-Prayer was a meanes to nuzzle up a non-preaching and ignorant Ministry.
4. transitive. literary in later use. To nurse, to cherish fondly; to provide with a snug place of rest. Frequently in passive. Cf. nuzzle v.1 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > affectionately or tenderly
nourishc1300
cherish1340
fosterc1386
lapc1430
tender1449
nestle1548
nuzzlea1577
brood1618
incubate1641
nurslea1652
a1577 G. Gascoigne in Compl. Wks. (1907–10) I. 463 If Byrhena coulde have helde him backe, From Venus court where he nowe nusled was.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions vi. 48 All those offices, whervnto our bodie serueth naturally,..must be chearished and nusled.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge Prol. sig. A2 Being hugged in the armes, And nuzzled twixt the breastes of happinesse.
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse iv. 46 We nusle Serpents in our own bosom..till they sting us to death.
1646 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple 2 The deaw no more will sleepe Nuzzel'd in the Lillies necke.
1709 Brit. Apollo 4–9 Feb. He was nuzzled together with a Doxy.
1854 Fraser's Mag. 49 212 As thirsty bees that sup Nuzzled within a noonday lily's cup.
1891 H. Caine Scapegoat I. xi. 226 Why had he been..fondling and nuzzling and coddling them [sc. fancies]?
5. transitive. To impose upon, deceive. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > deceive [verb (transitive)]
aschrenchc885
blendc888
swikec950
belirtOE
beswike971
blencha1000
blenka1000
belieOE
becatchc1175
trokec1175
beguile?c1225
biwrench?c1225
guile?c1225
trechec1230
unordainc1300
blink1303
deceivec1320
feintc1330
trechetc1330
misusea1382
blind1382
forgo1382
beglose1393
troil1393
turnc1405
lirt?a1425
abuse?a1439
ludify1447
amuse1480
wilec1480
trump1487
delude?a1505
sile1508
betrumpa1522
blear1530
aveugle1543
mislippen1552
pot1560
disglose1565
oversile1568
blaze1570
blirre1570
bleck1573
overtake1581
fail1590
bafflea1592
blanch1592
geck?a1600
hallucinate1604
hoodwink1610
intrigue1612
guggle1617
nigglea1625
nose-wipe1628
cog1629
cheat1637
flam1637
nurse1639
jilt1660
top1663
chaldese1664
bilk1672
bejuggle1680
nuzzlec1680
snub1694
bite1709
nebus1712
fugle1719
to take in1740
have?1780
quirk1791
rum1812
rattlesnake1818
chicane1835
to suck in1842
mogue1854
blinker1865
to have on1867
mag1869
sleight1876
bumfuzzle1878
swop1890
wool1890
spruce1917
jive1928
shit1934
smokescreen1950
dick1964
c1680 E. Hickeringill Hist. Whiggism i, in Wks. (1716) I. 23 Can a few Renegadoes, or Papists think to nuzzle the most glorious Isle and City of the Universe?
?1705 E. Hickeringill Vindic. Char. Priest-craft 3 Therefore you are a pack of nonsensical Bigots, to be nuzled so easily by Priest-craft.
Derivatives
nuzzled adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > upbringing > [adjective] > brought up
nurturedc1450
upbrought?c1470
well-nourituredc1500
forth-grown1532
uptrained1569
upbred1577
nuzzled1593
1593 Bacchus Bountie in Harl. Misc. (1809) II. 264 Fragrantlie fuming vp..into the nosetrills of all his nosled nouises.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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