The people had been nuzzled in idolatry. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. [Perh. a corruption of nestle. Cf. {Nustle}.] To nestle; to house, as in a nest. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
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 — (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
