suckle

suck·le

verb \ˈsə-kəl\

suck·ledsuck·ling\-k(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of SUCKLE

transitive verb

1

a : to give milk to from the breast or udder <a mother suckling her child> b : to nurture as if by giving milk from the breast <was suckled on pulp magazines>

2

: to draw milk from the breast or udder of <lambs suckling the ewes>

intransitive verb

: to draw milk from the breast or udder

Examples of SUCKLE

1. a cat suckling her kittens
2. <the image of a mother suckling her babe is a standard artistic symbol of maternal love and nurturing>

Origin of SUCKLE

Middle English suklen, probably back-formation from suklyng

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUCKLE

Synonyms: breast-feed, nurse, wet-nurse

Related Words: bottle-feed

Near Antonyms: wean

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Rhymes with SUCKLE

buccal, buckle, chuckle, knuckle, truckle