Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cajoling” come from?

Cajoling comes from French cajoler, from Middle French cageoler, of uncertain origin and ultimate meaning.

cajoling (English): present participle of cajole; the act of one who...

Definitions

  1. present participle of cajole; the act of one who...

Ancestry of “cajoling”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcajoleTo persuade someone to do something which they...
2Frenchcajolerto cuddle, to cradle in one's arms; to flatter,...
3Old Frenchgaioler—
4Medieval Latingabiola—
5Late Latincaveola—
6Latincaveahollow, cavity; cage, den, enclosure, stall,...
7Latincavushollow, concave; excavated, channeled;...
8Proto-Italickawos—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanḱowh₁óshollow
10Proto-Indo-Europeanḱewh₁-to swell; to be strong

Words derived from “cajoling”

  • cajolingly
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱewh₁- →