Mollycoddle

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈmÉ’l.ɪˌkÉ’d.É™l/
• US IPA: /ˈmÉ‘l.iËŒkÉ‘d.É™l/
• Rhymes: -É’dÉ™l

Origin

From molly + coddle.

Full definition of mollycoddle

Noun

1. (now rare) A person, especially a man or a boy, who is pampered and overprotected.
• 2004: Chris Wallace (journalist), Character: Profiles in Presidential CourageNo matter what pacifist "flubdubs and flapdoodle mollycoddles" might say, the President Roosevelt knew that if there were a general war then America could well be drawn into it.

Verb

1. (transitive) To be overprotective and indulgent toward; to pamper.
• 1904, Sabine Baring-Gould, Heerendorp by this means obtained an evil notoriety, and it was ordered to be burnt, and the women of Jacob's family to be transferred to a concentration camp where they would be mollycoddled at the expense of the English taxpayer.
• 2012, The Economist, Oct 13th 2012, Policy prescriptions: A True ProgressivismRich countries also need more competition in traditionally mollycoddled sectors such as education.