/ ˈkreɪdl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a small bed for a baby which can be pushed gently from side to side :
She rocked the baby to sleep in its cradle.
2.
[ usually sing. ] cradle of sth the place where sth important began :
Greece, the cradle of Western civilization
3.
( BrE ) a small platform that can be moved up and down the outside of a high building, used by people cleaning windows, etc.
4.
the part of a telephone on which the receiver rests
•
IDIOMS
- from the cradle to the grave
—more at rob
■ verb
[ vn ] to hold sb/sth gently in your arms or hands :
The old man cradled the tiny baby in his arms.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English cradol , of uncertain origin; perhaps related to German Kratte basket.