chatonner

Senses

1. 1.

   to kitten, to give birth to kittens

   (of a cat) to produce offspring

2. 2.

   to coddle, to pamper

   to treat someone with excessive tenderness or indulgence

Examples

• "La chatte va chatonner bientôt."

  The cat will give birth to kittens soon.

• "Il ne faut pas trop chatonner les enfants."

  You mustn't coddle the children too much.

• "Sa mère le chaton ne trop."

  His mother pampers him too much.

Usage

The first sense (to give birth to kittens) is literal and technical. The second sense (to coddle, pamper) is more colloquial and derived from the affectionate behaviour associated with cats. Both are relatively informal or literary in modern usage.