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Webster 1913 Edition

Cradle

Cra′dle

(krād’l)
,
Noun.
[AS.
cradel
,
cradol
, prob. from Celtic; cf. Gael.
creathall
, Ir.
craidhal
, W.
cryd
a shaking or rocking, a cradle; perh. akin to E.
crate
.]
1.
A bed or cot for a baby, oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots; hence, the place of origin, or in which anything is nurtured or protected in the earlier period of existence;
as, a
cradle
of crime; the
cradle
of liberty
.
The
cradle
that received thee at thy birth.
Cowper.
No sooner was I crept out of my
cradle

But I was made a king, at nine months old.
Shakespeare
2.
Infancy, or very early life.
From their
cradles
bred together.
Shakespeare
A form of worship in which they had been educated from their
cradles
.
Clarendon.
3.
(Agric.)
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.
4.
(Engraving)
A tool used in mezzotint engraving, which, by a rocking motion, raises burrs on the surface of the plate, so preparing the ground.
5.
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.
6.
(Med.)
(a)
A case for a broken or dislocated limb.
(b)
A frame to keep the bedclothes from contact with the person.
7.
(Mining)
(a)
A machine on rockers, used in washing out auriferous earth; – also called a
rocker
.
[U.S.]
(b)
A suspended scaffold used in shafts.
8.
(Carp.)
The ribbing for vaulted ceilings and arches intended to be covered with plaster.
Knight.
9.
(Naut.)
The 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.
Cat’s cradle
.
See under
Cat
.
–
Cradle hole
,
a sunken place in a road, caused by thawing, or by travel over a soft spot.
–
Cradle scythe
,
a broad scythe used in a cradle for cutting grain.

Cra′dle

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Cradled
(-d’ld)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Cradling
(-dl?ng)
.]
1.
To lay to rest, or rock, as in a cradle; to lull or quiet, as by rocking.
It
cradles
their fears to sleep.
D. A. Clark.
2.
To nurse or train in infancy.
He that hath been
cradled
in majesty will not leave the throne to play with beggars.
Glanvill.
3.
To cut and lay with a cradle, as grain.
4.
To transport a vessel by means of a cradle.
In Lombardy . . . boats are
cradled
and transported over the grade.
Knight.
To cradle a picture
,
to put ribs across the back of a picture, to prevent the panels from warping.

Cra′dle

,
Verb.
I.
To lie or lodge, as in a cradle.
Withered roots and husks wherein the acorn
cradled
.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition

Cradle

CRADLE

,
Noun.
[Gr., to swing.]
1.
A movable machine of various constructions, placed on circular pieces of board, for rocking children or inform persons to sleep, for alleviating pain, or giving moderate exercise.
Me let the tender office long engage, to rock the cradle of reposing age.
2.
Infancy. From the cradle, is from the state of infancy; in the cradle, in a state of infancy.
3.
That part of the stock of a cross-bow, where the bullet is put.
4.
In surgery, a case in which a broken leg is laid after being set.
5.
In ship-building, a frame placed under the bottom of a ship for launching. It supports the ship and slides down the timbers or passage called the ways.
6.
A standing bedstead for wounded seamen.
7.
In engraving, an instrument, formed of steel, and resembling a chisel, with one sloping side, used in scraping mezzotintos, and preparing the plate.
8.
In husbandry, a frame of wood, with long bending teeth, to which is fastened a sythe, for cutting and laying oats and other grain in a swath.

CRADLE

, v.t.
1.
To lay in a cradle; to rock in a cradle; to compose, or quiet.
It cradles their fears to sleep.
2.
To nurse in infancy.
3.
To cut and lay with a cradle, as grain.

CRADLE

,
Verb.
I.
To lie or lodge in a cradle.

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