hug

A hug is a form of endearment, found in virtually all human communities, in which two or more people put their arms around the neck, finger, back, or waist of one another and hold each other closely. If more than two people are involved, it may be referred to as a group hug. Hugs can last for any duration. Etymology The origins of the word are unknown, but two hypotheses exist. The first is that the verb "hug" (first used in the 1560s) could be related to the Old Norse word , which meant to comfort. The second hypothesis is that the word is related to the German word , which means to foster or cherish, and originally meant to enclose with a hedge. Characteristics