cra·dle [cradlecradlescradledcradling] noun, verb BrE [ˈkreɪdl] NAmE [ˈkreɪdl] noun 1. a small bed for a baby which can be pushed gently from side to side •She rocked the baby to sleep in its cradle. 2. usually singular ~ of sth the place where sth important began •Greece, the cradle of Western civilization 3. (BrE)a small platform that can be moved up and down the outside of a high building, used by people cleaning windows, etc. 4. the part of a telephone on which the ↑receiver rests more at rob the cradle at ↑rob
Word Origin: Old English cradol, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to German Kratte ‘basket’. Idiom: ↑from the cradle to the grave
verb ~ sb/sth to hold sb/sth gently in your arms or hands •The old man cradled the tiny baby in his arms. Verb forms:
Word Origin: Old English cradol, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to German Kratte ‘basket’.
Example Bank: •She sat with the child cradled against her.
