| 释义 |
cra·dle
I. \ˈkrādəl\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English cradel, from Old English cradol cradle, cot; akin to Old High German kratto basket, Sanskrit grantha knot, Old Norse karmr breastwork, Latin grumus pile of earth scratched together, Greek grypos bent, Sanskrit guṇa rope, string; basic meaning: turning, twisting
1.
a. : a bed or cot for a baby usually oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots
< rock a cradle >
b. : the earliest period of life : infancy
< from the cradle to the grave >
c. : a place where something began to develop : region of origin
< the Nile valley conceived of as the cradle of civilization >
2. : a resting place, framework, container, or grip felt to resemble the restraining or supporting nature of a baby's cradle or of its shape: as
a.
(1) : a framework of bars and rods joined by crosspieces (as a workman's suspended scaffold or the ribbing of a vaulted ceiling to be covered with plaster)
(2) : a supporting foundation usually of concrete for maintaining the proper gradient of a pipe drain located on a subgrade not capable of supporting it
(3) : a frame in which the treads and risers of stairs are glued together
(4) : a framework of ribs often joined by crosspieces and attached to the back of a painted panel to prevent warping or splitting
(5) : the support for a telephone receiver or handset
b.
(1) : an implement with rods like fingers attached to a scythe and used formerly especially for harvesting grain
(2) : a device in weaving consisting of curved metal pieces fastened beneath the cylinders to catch the cards of a jacquard head as they fall
c.
(1) : a wooden frame supporting a ship when launched — called also launching cradle
(2) : a wooden or metal framework on a ship (as under a lifeboat or machinery) used to support in a fixed position or facilitate in moving from one place to another
(3) : a frame of timber or blocks for the support of large rounded objects (as boats, tanks, pipes) so that they do not roll especially while being transported
(4) : the part of a gun carriage that supports the tube and upon which the tube recoils
(5) : a low frame on casters used by mechanics to support themselves while working under an automobile — called also creeper
d.
(1) : a frame to keep the bedclothes from contact with an injured part of the body (as in fractures, wounds, burns)
(2) : a frame placed on an animal's neck by a veterinarian to keep the animal from biting an injury or sore
e. : a device on the string of a stonebow to hold a missile
f. : cat's cradle
g. : a grip by which a wrestler holds an opponent in a doubled-up position by circling his head and one leg and interlocking his own hands
3. : anything that rocks or may be rocked in the manner of a baby's cradle: as
a. : a rocking device used by miners in washing out auriferous earth by hand — called also rocker
b. : a tool used in mezzotint engraving that by a rocking motion raises burrs on the surface of the plate
II. verb
(cradled ; cradled ; cradling \-d(ə)liŋ\ ; cradles)
transitive verb
1.
a. : to place or keep (a baby) in or as if in a cradle
< they cradled their youngest on the sun porch >
< an occasional Paiute woman with baby cradled on her back — American Guide Series: Nevada >
b. : shelter, rear
< while Italy was cradling the strange Etruscan culture — Jacquetta & Christopher Hawkes >
c. : to support protectively or intimately : hold closely
< cradled his head on his folded arms — MacKinlay Kantor >
< cradling a cup of coffee in his hand — Luke Short >
2. : to cut (as grain) with a cradle scythe
3.
a. : to place in or provide with a special or suitable form or container
< cradle a boat >
< cradle the receiver of a telephone >
< cradle machinery for shipment >
b. : to furnish or reinforce with a ribbed framework
< cradle a painting >
< cradle a panel >
4. : to wash in a miner's cradle
< cradle out a few grains of gold >
5. : to keep (a lacrosse ball) in the pocket of the crosse with rotating motions
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to rest in or as if in a cradle
2. : to wash out ore in a cradle
3. : to cut grain with a cradle scythe |