The word "suckles" is spelled with a silent "c" followed by a "k" sound. In IPA notation, it is transcribed as /ˈsʌkəlz/ or "SUK-uhls". This verb refers to the action of a baby animal or human drawing milk from its mother's breasts. The spelling may seem unusual, but it follows the general rule that when the suffix "-le" is added to a consonant, the final consonant is doubled. In this case, the "le" was dropped and replaced with "-s" to form the plural.
Suckles, as a verb, is the third-person singular present tense of the word "suckle." The verb "suckle" refers to the act of drawing milk from the mother's breast or teat, primarily done by infants or young animals. It is a natural way for infants to receive their nourishment and sustenance during their early stages of life. When an infant or young animal suckles, they create a vacuum with their mouth and use their tongue to extract milk from the lactating breast or teat.
Suckling is an instinctive behavior observed in mammals, and it is crucial for their survival, as it supplies essential nutrients and antibodies present in the mother's milk. The suckling process establishes a bond between the mother and her offspring, reinforcing the maternal-infant relationship. It is not limited to humans only but occurs across various animal species, notably in mammals.
Suckling is typically a temporary phase that lasts until the infant or young animal is weaned. Weaning refers to the gradual transition from suckling milk to consuming solid food or alternative sources of nutrition. It is an important milestone in the development of infants and marks their readiness to explore other food sources for growth and sustenance.
In summary, to suckle means to breastfeed or draw milk from the mother's breast or teat, primarily observed in infants and young animals as a natural way of receiving nourishment. The act of suckling plays a significant role in establishing the maternal-infant bond and is a critical stage before the weaning process begins.
The word "suckles" is derived from the Old English verb "sucolian", which means "to suckle or nurse". This verb evolved from the Proto-Germanic root "sugan", meaning "to suck". The word "suckles" is used to describe the action of an infant or young animal nursing from its mother. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is dependent on or derives nourishment from something or someone.