cud

n. [ Also cudbeard, corrupted fr. the name of Dr. Cuthbert Gordon, a Scotchman, who first brought it into notice. ] 1. A powder of a violet red color, difficult to moisten with water, used for making violet or purple dye. It is prepared from certain species of lichen, especially Lecanora tartarea. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) A lichen (Lecanora tartarea), from which the powder is obtained. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ For sense 1, cf. Scot. cuddy an ass; for sense 2, see 3d Cuddy. ] 1. A clown; a low rustic; a dolt. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The slavering cudden, propped upon his staff. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) The coalfish. See 3d Cuddy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A close embrace. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To embrace closely; to fondle. Forby. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Cuddled p. pr. & vb. n. Cuddling ] [ Prob. for couthle, fr. couth known; cf. OE. kuþþen to cuddle, or cuðlechen to make friends with. SeeCouth, Uncouth, Can. ] To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle. [ 1913 Webster ]

She cuddles low beneath the brake;
Nor would she stay, nor dares she fly. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. holding close in a tender and afectionate manner. [ PJC ]

2. lying closely together while caressing; nestling together. [ PJC ]

3. foreplay without contact with the genital organs. [ slang ]
Syn. -- caressing, fondling, hugging, kissing, necking, petting, smooching, snuggling. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. inviting cuddling or hugging; as, a cuddlesome baby. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Prob. a contraction fr. D. kajuit cabin: cf. F.cahute hut. ] (Naut.) A small cabin: also, the galley or kitchen of a vessel. [ 1913 Webster ]