cajoling
UK[kəˈdʒəʊlɪŋ]US[kəˈdʒoʊlɪŋ]
adj
Using flattery or gentle persuasion to coax someone into doing something.
n
The act of persuading someone by sustained flattery or gentle urging.
Etymology
The verb "cajole" entered English in the mid-17th century from French cajoler, meaning 'to chatter like a jay, flatter, coax.' The French term likely has an onomatopoeic origin, imitating the persistent, chattering sounds of birds, particularly jays. This etymological imagery evolved from the literal sense of incessant bird chatter to the figurative meaning of using persistent, smooth, and often deceptive talk to persuade someone. Thus, "cajoling" carries the conceptual logic of overcoming resistance not by force, but by a sustained, ingratiating, and sometimes wheedling verbal performance, much like a bird's relentless calls.
Analysis
The word "cajoling" is the present participle or gerund form of the verb "cajole." It is treated as a simplex unit for morpheme analysis as its historical roots are not transparently reflected in its modern English spelling through separable substrings.
Examples
She finally agreed to help, tired of his cajoling voice.
After hours of gentle cajoling, the child went to bed.
Political success often requires a mix of firm policy and subtle cajoling.