caudle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Historical/RareArchaic, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “caudle” mean?
A warm, thin drink made with wine or ale, mixed with bread, gruel, eggs, sugar, and spices, traditionally given to the sick or to women after childbirth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A warm, thin drink made with wine or ale, mixed with bread, gruel, eggs, sugar, and spices, traditionally given to the sick or to women after childbirth.
A historical or archaic term for a nourishing, medicinal drink or food prepared for invalids, convalescents, or postpartum women; by extension, can refer to any soothing, gentle food or drink.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic in both varieties. It appears more frequently in British historical literature, given its cultural history, but is not a part of modern American vocabulary either.
Connotations
Conjures images of pre-modern medicine, domestic care, and historical novels in both varieties. Has a quaint, old-fashioned feel.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary use. Its primary occurrence is in historical texts, re-enactments, and period drama dialogue.
Grammar
How to Use “caudle” in a Sentence
[prepare/make/mix] a caudle for [someone][drink/take/sip] a caudle[serve/bring/offer] a caudle to [someone]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “caudle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The midwife would caudle the new mother with the warming drink.
- They began to caudle the feverish patient every few hours.
American English
- In the historical novel, the nuns caudled the sick pilgrim. (Note: The verb form 'to caudle' is even rarer than the noun.)
adverb
British English
- (No established adverbial form in use)
American English
- (No established adverbial form in use)
adjective
British English
- The caudle pot sat by the hearth, ready for use.
- She followed an old caudle recipe from her grandmother's book.
American English
- They found a collection of caudle cups in the antique store.
- The re-enactor demonstrated the caudle-making process.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical, literary, or medical history contexts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in historical re-enactment, culinary history, or historical fiction writing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “caudle”
- Pronouncing it like 'cuddle'. The 'au' is pronounced like 'aw' in 'law'.
- Using it to refer to modern soups or smoothies.
- Assuming it is still in common use in medical or nutritional contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'caudle' is an archaic term. It is not part of modern nutrition or medicine and is only encountered in historical texts, re-enactments, or period literature.
Both are historical warm, spiced drinks. A posset was often richer, made with milk curdled with ale or wine, and could be a dessert or remedy. A caudle was thinner, more gruel-like, and was specifically associated with nursing the sick and postpartum women.
It is pronounced /ˈkɔːd(ə)l/, rhyming with 'laudable'. The 'au' sounds like the 'aw' in 'law' or 'saw'.
Only in a deliberately historical, literary, or humorous way. For example, 'After that marathon, I need a 21st-century caudle—maybe a protein shake.' In standard modern usage, words like 'broth', 'tonic', or 'nourishing drink' would be appropriate.
A warm, thin drink made with wine or ale, mixed with bread, gruel, eggs, sugar, and spices, traditionally given to the sick or to women after childbirth.
Caudle is usually archaic, historical, literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in modern usage”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a **COW** (from the old word 'caudle' sounding like 'cuddle') giving a gentle, nourishing drink to a sick person – a **caudle** is a comforting, cuddle-like drink.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS WARM NOURISHMENT (from the past). The word embodies the conceptual metaphor that caring for someone involves providing gentle, warm sustenance.
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, the word 'caudle' is best described as: