hug English · revision 7754

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=1567}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /hʌɡ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is of uncertain origin,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) perhaps from a Scandinavian source, compare Old Norse [[m|non|hugga|t=to comfort, soothe]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from hugr, mind, mood, related to Old English hycgan, to think, and Gothic hugs, mind.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) Others have noted a likeness to German hegen, to foster, cherish.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To clasp tightly in the arms: 1567, in Drant's translation of Horace's ''Art of Poetry''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To delight in bondage, ''hug one's chains'', is from 1588,^(OED 1989) and to lie close or cuddle from 1595.^(OED 1989) To court favour is from 1622, and to congratulate oneself from 1622.^(OED 1989) To cling fervently to an opinion is from 1649.^(OED 1989) The noun was first a hold in wrestling (1617),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and an affectionate embrace from 1659 (the 1650s).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) To keep close to a shore or kerb is a later sense.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1567 – to embrace.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1588 – hug one's chains.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1617 – a wrestling hold.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1649 – to cling to a belief.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1659 – an affectionate embrace.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To hold someone closely in the arms; to [[embrace]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To cling to a belief or idea; to cherish.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To keep close to: ''to hug the shore''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A close, affectionate embrace.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A crushing hold, as in wrestling.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[huggable]]

+ * [[hugger]]

+ * [[huggingly]]

+ * [[unhugged]]

+ * [[hug-me-tight]]

+ * [[bear hug]]

+ * [[bunny hug]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[embrace]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Dialect words recorded by the EDD include Shetland hug, a young sheep, and Somerset hug, the itch.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}