cradle
cradle Lexical Profile
cradle Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small bed for an infant, typically mounted on rockers so it can be swayed side to side.
"The mother gently rocked the wooden cradle until the baby fell asleep."
A place, region, or environment where something originates or is nurtured during its early stages.
"Ancient Mesopotamia is widely regarded as the cradle of human civilization."
A framework or resting place used to support an object, such as the part of a telephone holding the receiver or a scaffold for construction workers.
"He slammed the phone receiver back onto its cradle in frustration."
• verb
To hold gently and protectively, often in the arms or hands.
"She carefully cradled the injured bird in her palms to keep it warm."
To nurture or protect something during its early or formative stages.
"The small academic community cradled his developing research until it was ready for publication."
• Rhymes for cradle
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'cradol', likely of Celtic origin (compare Irish 'craidhal'), originally denoting a small bed for an infant.