cradling

[ kreyd-l-ing ]

/ ˈkreɪd l ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cradling ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

framework for supporting a coved or vaulted ceiling.

Nearby words

cradle snatcher, cradle vault, cradle-to-grave, cradleboard, cradlesong, cradling, craft, craft apprenticeship, craft beer, craft union, craftint

Origin of cradling

First recorded in 1810–20; cradle + -ing¹

Definition for cradling (2 of 2)

cradle

[ kreyd-l ]

/ ˈkreɪd l /

noun

a small bed for an infant, usually on rockers.

any of various supports for objects set horizontally, as the support for the handset of a telephone.

the place where anything is nurtured during its early existence: Boston was the cradle of the American Revolution.

Agriculture.

a frame of wood with a row of long curved teeth projecting above and parallel to a scythe, for laying grain in bunches as it is cut.
a scythe together with the cradle in which it is set.

a wire or wicker basket used to hold a wine bottle in a more or less horizontal position while the wine is being served.

Artillery. the part of a gun carriage on which a recoiling gun slides.

a landing platform for ferryboats, rolling on inclined tracks to facilitate loading and unloading at different water levels.

Aeronautics. a docklike structure in which a rigid or semirigid airship is built or is supported during inflation.

Automotive. creeper(def 6).

Nautical.

a shaped support for a boat, cast, etc.; chock.
truss(def 9).

Shipbuilding.

a moving framework on which a hull slides down the ways when launched.
a built-up form on which plates of irregular form are shaped.

Medicine/Medical. a frame that prevents the bedclothes from touching an injured part of a bedridden patient.

Mining. a box on rockers for washing sand or gravel to separate gold or other heavy metal.

an engraver's tool for laying mezzotint grounds.

Painting. a structure of wooden strips attached to the back of a panel, used as a support and to prevent warping.

verb (used with object), cra·dled, cra·dling.

to hold gently or protectively.

to place or rock in or as in an infant's cradle.

to nurture during infancy.

to receive or hold as a cradle.

to cut (grain) with a cradle.

to place (a vessel) on a cradle.

Mining. to wash (sand or gravel) in a cradle; rock.

Painting. to support (a panel) with a cradle.

verb (used without object), cra·dled, cra·dling.

to lie in or as if in a cradle.

to cut grain with a cradle scythe.

Origin of cradle

before 1000; Middle English cradel, Old English cradol; akin to Old High German cratto basket

SYNONYMS FOR cradle

3 birthplace, fountain, font, wellspring.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cradle ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

cra·dler, nounun·cra·dled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cradling

All those huddled in the background, cradling their own unheard hip-hop demos.
The Best Lyrics From Daniel Day-Lewis’s Son’s Rap Song|Amy Zimmerman|November 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He too is cradling an AK-47 with a huge 75-round magazine attached.
We Never Kidnapped Greg Mortenson|Ron Moreau, Sami Yousafzai|April 18, 2011|DAILY BEAST
“I know,” she said, hugging him and cradling his head against her chest.
Can Mrs. Jackson Handle Michael's Kids?|Trisha Posner|July 1, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Frightened and astonished, Eveley soothed her, cradling her in her arms.
Eve to the Rescue|Ethel Hueston

Before the day of the self-rake machine the grain was harvested with the cradle, and cradling was work for a giant.
In Pastures Green|Peter McArthur
"I have a mind to speak a word for your puppet-show," said the jester, cradling his bauble in his arms.
Masters of the Guild|L. Lamprey
Cranial measurements are not distorted by cradling practice or other causes of deformation.
A Racial Study of the Fijians|Norman E. Gabel
To light lapping and cradling of waters the wood sings the simple lay, while strings discourse in quicker, higher phrase.
Symphonies and Their Meaning; Third Series, Modern Symphonies|Philip H. Goepp

British Dictionary definitions for cradling (1 of 2)

cradling

/ (ˈkreɪdlɪŋ) /

noun

architect a framework of iron or wood, esp as used in the construction of a ceiling

British Dictionary definitions for cradling (2 of 2)

cradle

/ (ˈkreɪdəl) /

noun

a baby's bed with enclosed sides, often with a hood and rockers

a place where something originates or is nurtured during its early lifethe cradle of civilization

the earliest period of lifethey knew each other from the cradle

a frame, rest, or trolley made to support or transport a piece of equipment, aircraft, ship, etc

a platform, cage, or trolley, in which workmen are suspended on the side of a building or ship

the part of a telephone on which the handset rests when not in use

a holder connected to a computer allowing data to be transferred from a PDA, digital camera, etc

another name for creeper (def. 5)

agriculture

a framework of several wooden fingers attached to a scythe to gather the grain into bunches as it is cut
a scythe equipped with such a cradle; cradle scythe
a collar of wooden fingers that prevents a horse or cow from turning its head and biting itself

Also called: rocker a boxlike apparatus for washing rocks, sand, etc, containing gold or gem stones

engraving a tool that produces the pitted surface of a copper mezzotint plate before the design is engraved upon it

a framework used to prevent the bedclothes from touching a sensitive part of an injured person

from the cradle to the grave throughout life

verb

(tr) to rock or place in or as if in a cradle; hold tenderly

(tr) to nurture in or bring up from infancy

(tr) to replace (the handset of a telephone) on the cradle

to reap (grain) with a cradle scythe

(tr) to wash (soil bearing gold, etc) in a cradle

lacrosse to keep (the ball) in the net of the stick, esp while running with it

Derived Forms

cradler, noun

Word Origin for cradle

Old English cradol; related to Old High German kratto basket

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for cradling

cradle

[ krād′l ]

n.

A small low bed for an infant, often furnished with rockers.

A frame used to keep the bedclothes from pressing on an injured part.

Idioms and Phrases with cradling

cradle

see from the cradle to the grave; rob the cradle.

cradling

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of cradling

Definition for cradling (2 of 2)

cradle

noun

verb (used with object), cra·dled, cra·dling.

verb (used without object), cra·dled, cra·dling.

Origin of cradle

SYNONYMS FOR cradle

Related forms

Examples from the Web for cradling

British Dictionary definitions for cradling (1 of 2)

cradling

noun

British Dictionary definitions for cradling (2 of 2)

cradle

noun

verb

Derived Forms

Word Origin for cradle

Medicine definitions for cradling

cradle

n.

Idioms and Phrases with cradling

cradle