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Webster 1913 Edition
Dandle
Dan′dle
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Dandled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Dandling
.] [Cf. G.
dändeln
to trifly, dandle, OD. & Prov. G. danten
, G. tand
trifly, prattle; Scot. dandill
, dander
, to go about idly, to trifly.] 1.
To move up and down on one’s knee or in one's arms, in affectionate play, as an infant.
Ye shall be
dandled
. . . upon her knees. Is.[GREEK]
2.
To treat with fondness, as if a child; to fondle; to toy with; to pet.
They have put me in a silk gown and gaudy fool's cap; I as ashamed to be
dandled
thus. Addison.
The book, thus
dandled
into popularity by bishops and good ladies, contained many pieces of nursery eloquence. Jeffrey.
3.
To play with; to put off or delay by trifles; to wheedle.
[Obs.]
Captains do so
dandle
their doings, and dally in the service, as it they would not have the enemy subdued. Spenser.