Parents often coddle their children to the point where they struggle to be independent.
synonyms
pamperindulgespoil
word origin — The term 'coddle' originates from the Late Middle English word 'coddlen,' which is a frequentative form of 'cod,' meaning to wrap up or hold something closely.
SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 281
Set 281 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: coddle, befuddle, relegate, abase, swelter. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.
coddle · verb/ˈkɑː.dəl/
to treat with excessive care or indulgence
Parents often coddle their children to the point where they struggle to be independent.
Synonyms: pamper, indulge, spoil
Origin: The term 'coddle' originates from the Late Middle English word 'coddlen,' which is a frequentative form of 'cod,' meaning to wrap up or hold something closely.
befuddle · verb/bɪˈfədəl/
to confuse or make unable to think clearly
The complex instructions for assembling the furniture served to befuddle even the most experienced DIY enthusiasts.
Synonyms: bewilder, confuse, perplex
Origin: The word 'befuddle' originated in the early 17th century, likely from the prefix 'be-' meaning 'to cause to be' and 'fuddle,' which means to confuse or muddle, originally derived from the Old English word 'fudla' meaning 'to make drunk.'
relegate · verb/ˈrɛlɪˌɡeɪt/
to assign to a lower rank or position
After the merger, the manager was relegated to a less important position within the company.
Synonyms: downgrade, demote, consign
Origin: from Latin 'relegare', meaning 'to send away, remove, or dismiss', from 're-' (back, again) + 'legare' (to dispatch or send)
abase · verb/əˈbeɪs/
to lower in rank, office, prestige, or esteem
He decided to abase himself by accepting the criticism without defending his actions.
Synonyms: humiliate, degrade, demean
Origin: Middle English 'abasen', from Old French 'abaisser', which comes from 'a-' (from) + 'baisser' (to lower), from Latin 'bassus' (low).
swelter · verb/ˈswɛltər/
to suffer from oppressive heat
During the heatwave, we had to swelter in the unairconditioned office, struggling to concentrate on our work.
Synonyms: sizzle, boil, perspire
Origin: Middle English swelt(e)ren, from Old English sweltan ('to die, perish,' literally 'to be killed'), of Germanic origin: related to Dutch zwelten and German schweltzen.