Hug Definition
hŭg
hugged, hugging, hugs
verb
hugged, hugging, hugs
To put the arms around and hold closely; esp., to embrace tightly and affectionately.
Webster's New World
To squeeze tightly between the forelegs, as a bear does.
Webster's New World
To hold steadfastly to; cherish.
He still hugs his outmoded beliefs.
American Heritage
To clasp or embrace each other closely.
Webster's New World
To cling to or cherish (a belief, opinion, etc.)
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
noun
hugs
A close, affectionate embrace.
Webster's New World
A crushing embrace, as in wrestling.
American Heritage
A tight clasp or hold with the arms, as in wrestling.
Webster's New World
A bear's squeeze.
Webster's New World
Origin of Hug
-
From earlier hugge (“to embrace”) (1560), probably representing a conflation of huck (“to crouch, huddle down”) and Old Norse hugga (“to comfort, console”), from hugr (“courage”), from Proto-Germanic *hugiz (“mind, sense”), cognate with Icelandic hugga (“to comfort”), Old English hyge (“thought, mind, heart, disposition, intention, courage, pride”).
From Wiktionary
Probably of Scandinavian origin Old Norse hugga to comfort
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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