Hug
/hʌɡ/noun
To embrace tightly with the arms, usually as a sign of affection.
Did you know?The word 'hug' may trace back to a Norse word meaning 'to comfort,' connecting affection to ancient healing practices.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
huggen
“To embrace or cuddle warmly.”
Old Norse
Old Norse
hugga
“To comfort or soothe.”
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
hugōną
“To comfort, to protect.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*keug-
“To curve or bend, indicating closeness or embrace.”