Cuddle vs Huddle - What's the difference?

In intransitive terms the difference between cuddle and huddle

is that cuddle is to embrace affectionately, lie together snugly while huddle is to curl one's legs up to the chest and keep one's arms close to the torso; to crouch; to assume a position similar to that of an embryo in the womb.

In transitive terms the difference between cuddle and huddle

is that cuddle is to cradle in one's arms so as to give comfort, warmth while huddle is to do, make, or put, in haste or roughly; hence, to do imperfectly; usually with a following preposition or adverb (huddle on, huddle up, huddle together).

cuddle

English

Noun

(en noun)

A snuggle; an affectionate embrace, often given to family members and close friends.

Verb

To embrace affectionately, lie together snugly.

The young lovers cuddled on the couch.

To cradle in one's arms so as to give comfort, warmth.

She cuddled the infant before bedtime.

I'm cold; can you roll over here and cuddle me, honey?

To lie close or snug; to crouch; to nestle.

* Prior

She cuddles low beneath the brake; / Nor would she stay, nor dares she fly.

Derived terms

* cuddlable * cuddler * cuddlesome * cuddle up * cuddly

huddle

English

Noun

(en noun)

a dense and disorderly crowd

(American football) a brief meeting of all the players from one team that are on the field with the purpose of planning the following play.

Verb

(huddl)

To crowd together as when distressed or in fear.

* 1912 : (Edgar Rice Burroughs), (Tarzan of the Apes), Chapter 4

During all these operations the apes who had entered sat huddled near the door watching their chief, while those outside strained and crowded to catch a glimpse of what transpired within.

To curl one's legs up to the chest and keep one's arms close to the torso; to crouch; to assume a position similar to that of an embryo in the womb.

To get together and discuss.

* 2012 November 2, Ken Belson, "[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/sports/new-york-city-marathon-will-not-be-held-sunday.html?hp&_r=0]," New York Times (retrieved 2 November 2012):

George Hirsch, chairman of the board of Road Runners, said officials huddled all day Friday, hoping to devise an alternate race. They considered replacing the marathon with a race that would comprise the final 10 miles of marathon, starting at the base of the Queensboro 59th Street Bridge on the Manhattan side. But that was not deemed plausible, Mr. Hirsch said.

(American football) To form a huddle.

To crowd (things) together; to mingle confusedly; to assemble without order or system.

* (John Locke)

Our adversary, huddling several suppositions together,makes a medley and confusion.

To do, make, or put, in haste or roughly; hence, to do imperfectly; usually with a following preposition or adverb (huddle on'', ''huddle up'', ''huddle together ).

* J. H. Newman

Huddle up a peace.

* (John Dryden)

Let him forecast his work with timely care, / Which else is huddled when the skies are fair.

* (Jonathan Swift)

Now, in all haste, they huddle on / Their hoods, their cloaks, and get them gone.