Background for cradles

cradles

/ˈkreɪdəlz/

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noun

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

Examples :

"The nursery was filled with soft light, and gentle music played as the mother carefully placed her newborn in one of the two cradles prepared for the twins. "

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"

history place culture tradition

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noun

Infancy, or very early life.

Examples :

"from the cradle to the grave"

age family human period

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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 carefully sharpened his cradles before heading out to harvest the wheat. "

agriculture utensil machine work

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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 a variety of cradles to roughen the copper plate before beginning the mezzotint. "

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 used massive cradles to carefully lower the newly built ship into the water. "

nautical technology machine vehicle sailing

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noun

A case for a broken or dislocated limb.

Examples :

"The doctor carefully applied the two cradles to support the patient's fractured wrist and forearm. "

medicine body aid

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noun

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

Examples :

"After surgery, the patient used cradles to keep the heavy blanket from touching their sensitive legs. "

medicine device anatomy

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noun

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

Examples :

"During the California Gold Rush, miners used cradles to separate gold from the dirt and gravel. "

machine geology industry technology

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noun

A suspended scaffold used in shafts.

Examples :

"The miners used cradles to descend deep into the mine shaft. "

building technical industry

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noun

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

Examples :

"The plaster ceiling of the old church was supported by a network of wooden cradles. "

architecture building material

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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 disaster aid technology vehicle device machine ocean

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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 electronics computing communication device 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 contact juggler carefully shifted his hand, so that the sphere nestled securely in the cradles of his fingers on the back of his hand. "

sport entertainment action position

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noun

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

Examples :

"The sommelier carefully placed the aged bottle in one of the restaurant's silver cradles before gently pouring the wine. "

utensil drink device

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verb

To contain in or as if in a cradle.

Examples :

"The mother cradles the newborn baby in her arms. "

action position

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verb

To rock (a baby to sleep).

Examples :

"The mother gently cradles her baby 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"

human action family

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verb

To lull or quieten, as if by rocking.

Examples :

"The mother gently cradles her crying baby to sleep with a soft lullaby. "

action human family

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verb

To nurse or train in infancy.

Examples :

"The volunteer program cradles at-risk youth, providing them with mentorship and job skills training. "

family human action education

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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 cradles the stick to keep the ball secure as she runs down the field. "

sport technical

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verb

To cut and lay (grain) with a cradle.

Examples :

"The farmer cradles the wheat, cutting it neatly before gathering it to bind. "

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verb

To transport a vessel by means of a cradle.

Examples :

"The shipyard carefully cradles the newly built yacht from the construction area to the launch platform. "

nautical sailing

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verb

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

Examples :

"The carpenter carefully cradles the large painting with wooden strips to stop the wood from bending over time. "