鼻をすり寄せる
解説 Definition
鼻や口で触れたり、親密さを示すために押し付けたり擦ったりする。動物が愛情を示すときの行動、または人間が親密な関係で示す行為。
To nuzzle means to press or rub gently with the nose, face, or head in an affectionate way. It is often used for animals, but it can also describe gentle human physical affection.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
nuzzle はまず nose を思い出すと定着しやすい。意味の中心は「鼻先や口もとを使って、やさしく近づき、こすりつける」。hug や cuddle のように抱きしめるより動きは小さく、犬や猫、恋人や赤ちゃんが顔や鼻をそっと押し当てる場面で出やすい。sniff が「においをかぐ」、nudge が「軽くつつく」、nestle が「身を寄せて落ち着く」なのに対し、nuzzle は愛情や甘えのこもった細かな接触。a dog nuzzled my hand、nuzzle into my shoulder の形で場面ごと覚えると残りやすい。
Use `nose` as your memory hook, because `nuzzle` usually involves the nose or face moving in gently. It suggests soft, loving contact, like a dog against your hand or a baby against a shoulder. To separate it from similar words: `sniff` is about smelling, `nudge` is a light push, but `nuzzle` feels warm and affectionate.
例文
The cat would nuzzle against my hand when seeking attention.
猫は注目を求めるとき、私の手に鼻を押し付けた。
She nuzzled her head against his shoulder.
彼女は彼の肩に頭を押し付けた。
The foal nuzzled its mother for milk.
子馬は母親に鼻を押し付けて乳を求めた。
nuzzle の類義語・関連語
派生語
紛らわしい語
nuzzle の語源・成り立ち Etymology
nuzzle は古英語 nosu にさかのぼる nose「鼻」から英語内でできた語で、-le が反復的な細かな動きを添えています。もとは「鼻先でこすりつつく」が核で、nose や nostril と並べると、「鼻を使ってすり寄せる」動作だと意味がつかみやすい語です。
Nuzzle was formed in English from nose, with the suffix -le, which often suggests repeated or small movements. Nose goes back to Old English nosu, and related words include nostril. The word first gave the idea of pushing or rubbing with the nose, then developed into the sense of pressing close in an affectionate way.
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