hugging
UK[ˈhʌɡɪŋ]US[ˈhʌɡɪŋ]
v
(present participle) the act of putting one's arms around someone or something tightly, typically to express affection, comfort, or greeting.
v
(present participle) holding something closely or tightly, especially with the arms.
v
(present participle) (figurative) keeping close to something, such as a shoreline or a belief.
Etymology
the verb 'hug' emerged in english in the mid-16th century, with its origins shrouded in some mystery but most plausibly connected to the old norse 'hugga', which meant 'to soothe or console'. this nordic root suggests the core action was originally linked to providing comfort. the modern sense of embracing with the arms to show affection or greeting developed fully in english. the addition of the '-ing' suffix, a common germanic participial ending, creates the present participle form 'hugging', which functions to describe the ongoing action or state of embracing.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from the verb 'hug'. its origin is uncertain but likely of scandinavian origin, related to old norse 'hugga' meaning 'to comfort, console'. the '-ing' suffix is from old english '-ende', '-inge', forming the present participle and verbal noun.
Examples
the children were hugging each other goodbye on their first day of school.
she sat on the couch, hugging a pillow while watching the movie.
the small boat was hugging the coastline to avoid the rough open water.