cradle

  • 1Cradle — 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

  • 2cradle — [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

  • 3Cradle — 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

  • 4Cradle — 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

  • 5cradle — ► 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

  • 6cradle — [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

  • 7Cradle — 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

  • 8cradle — index bear (support), genesis, lull, origin (source), origination, source Burton s Legal Thesaurus …

    Law dictionary

  • 9cradle — 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

  • 10cradle — 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