cradle

cradle
1 noun (C)
1 BED a small bed for a baby, especially one that you can move gently from side to side: She rocked the cradle to quieten the child.
2 the cradle of the place where something important began: Athens is often regarded as the cradle of democracy.
3 from/in the cradle from or in the earliest years of your life: Sara had learned that language from the cradle.
4 from the cradle to the grave all through your life: a promise of security from the cradle to the grave
5 BrE a structure that people working on the sides of high buildings stand in which can be moved up and down: a window-cleaner's cradle
6 the part of a telephone where the part that you hold in your hand is put when it is not being used
-see also: cat's cradle, rob the cradle rob (5) 2 verb (T) to hold something gently in your hands or arms, as if to protect it: John cradled the baby in his arms. | The wine-glass looked tiny cradled in his big hands.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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  • Cradle — may refer to: Mechanical devices: Bassinet, a small bed, often on rockers, in which babies and small children sleep Ship cradle, supports a ship that is dry docked Cradle (grain), in agriculture is a device based upon a scythe to cleanly reap and …   Wikipedia

  • cradle — [krād′ l] n. [ME cradel < OE cradol < * kradula, little basket; akin to OHG kratto, basket < IE base * ger , to twist, turn > CRANK1, CRAMP1, CREEK] 1. a baby s small bed, usually on rockers 2. the earliest period of one s life;… …   English World dictionary

  • Cradle — Cra dle (kr[=a]d l), n. [AS. cradel, cradol, prob. from Celtic; cf. Gael. creathall, Ir. craidhal, W. cryd a shaking or rocking, a cradle; perh. akin to E. crate.] 1. A bed or cot for a baby, oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots; hence,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cradle — Cra dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cradled} ( d ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Cradling} ( dl?ng).] 1. To lay to rest, or rock, as in a cradle; to lull or quiet, as by rocking. [1913 Webster] It cradles their fears to sleep. D. A. Clark. [1913 Webster] 2. To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cradle — ► NOUN 1) a baby s bed or cot, especially one mounted on rockers. 2) a place or period in which something originates or flourishes: the cradle of civilization. 3) a supporting framework resembling a cradle, in particular for a boat under repair… …   English terms dictionary

  • cradle — [n1] small bed for baby baby bed, bassinet, cot, crib, hamper, Moses basket, pannier, trundle bed; concept 443 cradle [n2] early childhood; origins babyhood, beginning, birthplace, fount, fountain, fountainhead, infancy, nativity, nursery, origin …   New thesaurus

  • Cradle — Cra dle, v. i. To lie or lodge, as in a cradle. [1913 Webster] Withered roots and husks wherein the acorn cradled. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cradle — index bear (support), genesis, lull, origin (source), origination, source Burton s Legal Thesaurus …   Law dictionary

  • cradle — cradler, n. /krayd l/, n., v., cradled, cradling. n. 1. a small bed for an infant, usually on rockers. 2. any of various supports for objects set horizontally, as the support for the handset of a telephone. 3. the place where anything is nurtured …   Universalium

  • cradle — cra|dle1 [ˈkreıdl] n [: Old English; Origin: cradol] 1.) a small bed for a baby, especially one that moves gently from side to side →↑cot ▪ She rocked the cradle to quieten the child. 2.) the cradle of sth formal the place where something… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • cradle — [[t]kre͟ɪd(ə)l[/t]] cradles, cradling, cradled 1) N COUNT A cradle is a baby s bed with high sides. Cradles often have curved bases so that they rock from side to side. Syn: crib 2) N COUNT The cradle is the part of a telephone on which the… …   English dictionary

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