subs. (thieves’).—GARROTTING (q.v.). Also verbally, and TO PUT ON THE HUG.

1

  1864.  Home Magazine, 16 March. Hoax upon hoax about the putting on THE HUG was played off upon a credulous and bugbear-loving community.

2

  2.  (old).—The sexual embrace. For synonyms, see GREENS and RIDE. Also THE CLOSE HUG.

3

  1659.  Lady Alimony, ii., ‘Prologue’ (DODSLEY, Old Plays (HAZLITT), 4th ed., 1875, xiv., 288). Apt for a spousal HUG.

4

  1719.  D’URFEY, Wit and Mirth; or Pills to Purge Melancholy, iv., 163.

        For they’ve a new ’Drug
  Which is call’d THE CLOSE HUG.

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  Verb, (colloquial).—Properly to grapple with and hold the body, as a bear with his fore-paws. Hence (1) to cuddle; and (2) to perform the sexual embrace (see subs., sense 2). Hence, also, TO HUG BROWN BESS (q.v.); TO HUG THE GUNNER’S DAUGHTER = to cuddle a gun for punishment; TO HUG THE GROUND = to fall, or be hit off one’s legs; TO GIVE THE HUG (pugilists) = to close with and grapple the body; TO HUG THE SHORE (or BANK, or WALL) to keep close to; CORNISH HUG = a hold in wrestling; TO HUG A BELIEF (or DELUSION, or THOUGHT) = to cherish; TO HUG ONE’S CHAINS = to delight in captivity.

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  1696.  GEORGE GRANVILLE, LORD LANSDOWNE, Prologue to the She-gallants.

        Then, like some pensive Statesman, walks demure,
And smiles, and HUGS, to make Destruction sure.

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  1602.  T. CAMPION, English Poesy (BULLEN, Works, 1889, p. 249). Changed is Helen. Helen HUGS the stranger.

8

  1631.  DRAYTON, The Moon-calf (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, iv., 133). HUG him, and swear he was her only joy.

9

  1637.  BEAUMONT and FLETCHER, The Elder Brother, iv., 1. This night I’ll HUG my Lilly in my arms.

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  d. 1649.  DRUMMOND, Posthumous Poems, ‘Of a Kiss.’

        Nor her who had the fate
Ravis’d to be and HUGGED on Ganges’ shore.

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  1659.  Lady Alimony, iv., 3. (DODSLEY, Old Plays (HAZLITT), 4th ed., 1875, xiv., 347).

        Shall we HUG none of our own,
But such as drop from th’ frigid zone?

12

  c. 1708.  W. KING, The Art of Love, Pt. iv. (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, ix., 266). Then HUGGING her in brawny arm.

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  d. 1710.  R. DUKE, Poems, ‘A Song’ (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, ix., 224).

        Close HUGS the charmer, and ashamed to yield,
Though he has lost the day yet keeps the field.
    Idem.
She HUGS the dart that wounded her, and dies.

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  d. 1742.  SOMERVILLE, Occasional Poems, etc., ‘The Fortune-Hunter,’ canto iii. (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, xi., 221).

        Drinks double bub, with all his might,
And HUGS his doxy every night.

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  1746.  SMOLLETT, Advice, line 4. We’ll HUG the curse that not one joy can boast.

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  d. 1764.  R. LLOYD, Poems (1774), ‘The Cit’s County Box.’ HUGGING themselves in ease and clover.

17

  d. 1773.  J. CUNNINGHAM, Poems, ‘Holyday Gown’ (CHALMERS, English Poets, 1810, xiv., 441). He HUGS me so close, and he kisses so sweet.

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  1791.  Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, ‘My Jockey is a Bonnie Lad,’ ii., 325. And then he fa’s a kissing, clasping, HUGGING, squeezing, tousling, pressing, winna let me be.

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  d. 1796.  BURNS, The Jolly Beggars.

        And at night in barn or stable,
  HUG our doxies on the hay.

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