dandle

[ dan-dl ]

verb (used with object)

, dan·dled, dan·dling.

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.

dandle

/ ˈdændəl /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˈdandler, noun

Other Words From

• dandler noun
• un·dandled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dandle¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dandle¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Nature, and his parents alike, dandle him, and 'tice him on with a bit of sugar to a draught of wormwood.

From Project Gutenberg

Dismissing his guards, he lets the elder women dandle his children, while the younger admire his robes.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall dandle a dozen of your young ones before these arms are withered.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor did an hope to dandle thy infancy moue mee to desire thee.

From Project Gutenberg

Merely in his character of connoisseur, however, Dandle glanced carelessly after his sister as she crossed the meadow.

From Project Gutenberg