dandle

American  

[dan-dl] / ˈdæn dl /

verb (used with object)

dandled, dandling

1. to move (a baby, child, etc.) lightly up and down, as on one's knee or in one's arms.

2. to pet; pamper.

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dandle British  

/ ˈdændəl /

verb

1. to move (a young child, etc) up and down (on the knee or in the arms)

2. to pet; fondle

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Other Word Forms

• dandler noun
• undandled adjective

Etymology

Origin of dandle

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain; perhaps akin to Italian dandola, dondola “a child's doll” and its derivative verb dandolare, dondolare “to rock, swing, dangle,” and akin to French dandiner “to swing back and forth, dandle” and se dandiner “to make a hip movement, sway the hips, gyrate, waddle”

Example Sentences

Ropes dandle like a makeshift cape against her back.

From Los Angeles Times

Recording the old popular tune “I Don’t Know Why” in 1950, for his outstanding Columbia Records debut, Garner’s fingers lick at the keys and he drags the melody along, dandling it, relishing it.

From New York Times

Mrs. Zielinski had been a great friend of my mother’s, dandling baby Helena on her knee.

From Literature

David Jordan, 53, of Northwest Washington, dandled his 6-month-old son on his lap as the rest of his family played on a blanket.

From Washington Post

Now he dandled a baby on his knee, greeted his former cellmate’s mother, checked his phone, answered a call, then yelled congratulations to another family.

From New York Times