hug
/hʌɡ/
verb
Origin
Old Norse
hugga — to comfort, soothe
Overview
Meaning Now
- to clasp or squeeze someone or something tightly in one's arms, typically as an expression of affection
- to keep close to or follow closely, such as a road or coastline
Literal older meaning
to embrace or squeeze
Language path
Old Norse → Middle English → English
Earliest form
hugge
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The evolution of the word 'hug' is unusual because it shifted from a concept associated with the mind and comfort (cognate with 'hugg' in Scandinavian languages meaning to soothe) to a distinct physical gesture of embrace. It entered general English usage relatively late compared to other verbs of contact.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*hugjan
“to think, mind, or comfort”
Derived from the root *hugiz meaning mind or spirit.
- Old Norse
hugga
“to comfort, console”
- Middle English
hugge
“to embrace tightly”
Transition from mental comforting to physical action.
Connections
Word parts
hug
root
to embrace
Related across languages
Old Norse
hugga
to comfort
Swedish
hugga
to strike or chop (distinct evolution)
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Related to hug
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.