Background for cradle

cradle

/ˈkɹeɪdəl/

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noun

A bed or cot for a baby, oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots.

Examples :

"The baby slept soundly in its cradle. "

family item utensil

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noun

The place of origin, or in which anything is nurtured or protected in the earlier period of existence.

Examples :

"a cradle of crime"

place history culture family

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noun

Infancy, or very early life.

Examples :

"from the cradle to the grave"

age family human person

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noun

An implement consisting of a broad scythe for cutting grain, with a set of long fingers parallel to the scythe, designed to receive the grain, and to lay it evenly in a swath.

Examples :

"The farmer used the cradle to cut the wheat, gathering the stalks neatly into a row. "

agriculture utensil machine

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noun

A tool used in mezzotint engraving, which, by a rocking motion, raises burrs on the surface of the plate, so preparing the ground.

Examples :

"The artist used the cradle to prepare the metal plate for mezzotint engraving. "

art utensil technical

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noun

A framework of timbers, or iron bars, moving upon ways or rollers, used to support, lift, or carry ships or other vessels, heavy guns, etc., as up an inclined plane, or across a strip of land, or in launching a ship.

Examples :

"The shipyard workers used a large cradle to gently lift the new ship onto the launching ramp. "

nautical technology machine vehicle industry

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noun

A case for a broken or dislocated limb.

Examples :

"After the accident, the doctor put the child's arm in a cradle to keep it still while it healed. "

medicine body anatomy aid device

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noun

A frame to keep the bedclothes from contact with the sensitive parts of an injured person.

Examples :

"The hospital used a cradle to protect the injured child's delicate hip while he slept. "

medicine device

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noun

A machine on rockers, used in washing out auriferous earth.

Examples :

"The gold prospector used the cradle to wash away the dirt and find the gold nuggets. "

machine agriculture geology

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noun

A suspended scaffold used in shafts.

Examples :

"The miners used the cradle to safely transport tools down the shaft. "

technical building industry job

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noun

A ribbing for vaulted ceilings and arches intended to be covered with plaster.

Examples :

"The architect carefully measured the cradle for the vaulted ceiling before the plasterers began their work. "

architecture building

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noun

A basket or apparatus in which, when a line has been made fast to a wrecked ship from the shore, the people are brought off from the wreck.

Examples :

"The cradle was ill-made. One victim fell into the sea and was lost and the ensuing delay cost three more lives."

nautical vehicle disaster aid technology ocean sailing machine structure item device building

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noun

A rest for the receiver of a telephone, or for certain computer hardware.

Examples :

"He slammed the handset into the cradle."

technology computing electronics device communication machine

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noun

(contact juggling) A hand position allowing a contact ball to be held steadily on the back of the hand.

Examples :

"The juggler used a cradle to keep the ball steady on the back of her hand during the performance. "

sport entertainment

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noun

A mechanical device for tilting and decanting a bottle of wine.

Examples :

"The winemaker used the cradle to carefully tilt the bottle and pour the wine into the glass. "

utensil drink device

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verb

To contain in or as if in a cradle.

Examples :

"The teacher's gentle hands cradled the baby bird's fragile body. "

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verb

To rock (a baby to sleep).

Examples :

"The mother cradled her baby, rocking gently to soothe it to sleep. "

family action human

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verb

To wrap protectively, to hold gently and protectively.

Examples :

"cradling the injured man’s head in her arms"

family human action

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verb

To lull or quieten, as if by rocking.

Examples :

"The mother cradled the crying baby, gently rocking him back and forth to quiet him. "

action human family

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verb

To nurse or train in infancy.

Examples :

"The new teacher cradled the shy student's hand, encouraging him to participate in class. "

family education human

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verb

To rock the lacrosse stick back and forth in order to keep the ball in the head by means of centrifugal force.

Examples :

"The lacrosse player expertly cradled the ball, keeping it securely in the head of his stick. "

sport action technical

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verb

To cut and lay (grain) with a cradle.

Examples :

"The farmer used a cradle to cut the wheat. "

agriculture action work

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verb

To transport a vessel by means of a cradle.

Examples :

"The workers carefully cradle the fragile antique vase across the crowded room. "

nautical sailing

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verb

To put ribs across the back of (a picture), to prevent the panels from warping.

Examples :

"The art teacher cradled the large painting's back panels to prevent them from warping during transport. "