Word: cosset (verb)

Associations

"Cosset" means to care for someone or something very gently and protectively, often more than usual. It is like treating with a lot of love and attention, almost like pampering.

• Example 1: "She cossets her little dog, always making sure it has the best food and a warm bed." Here, it shows careful and loving care.
• Example 2: "Parents often cosset their children to keep them safe and happy." This means giving children extra attention and protection.
• Example 3: "The gardener cosseted the rare plants, watering and feeding them every day." This means treating the plants carefully to keep them healthy.

Synonym: "pamper" is a close synonym. The difference is "cosset" often suggests gentle protection and care, while "pamper" can imply spoiling someone with too much luxury or indulgence.

Substitution

You can replace "cosset" with:

• pamper (more about spoiling with luxury)
• spoil (can have a negative meaning, like giving too much)
• nurture (more about helping grow or develop)
• cherish (more emotional, about love and value)

Using these changes the feeling slightly. For example, "cosset" feels gentle and protective, while "spoil" can feel negative.

Deconstruction

"Cosset" comes from Old English "cosset," meaning a young lamb. Lambs are often cared for gently, so the word grew to mean treating anyone with gentle care.

No prefix or suffix here, just the whole word.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a person or pet you or someone you know cossets? How do they show this care?
• How is cosseting different from just normal care or love?
• In what situations might cosseting be too much or not enough?