From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Cradle \Cra"dle\, v. 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.
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It cradles their fears to sleep. --D. A. Clark.
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2. To nurse or train in infancy.
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He that hath been cradled in majesty will not leave
the throne to play with beggars. --Glanvill.
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3. To cut and lay with a cradle, as grain.
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4. To transport a vessel by means of a cradle.
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In Lombardy . . . boats are cradled and transported
over the grade. --Knight.
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To cradle a picture, to put ribs across the back of a
picture, to prevent the panels from warping.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Cradling \Cra"dling\ (-dl?ng), n.
1. The act of using a cradle.
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2. (Coopering) Cutting a cask into two pieces lengthwise, to
enable it to pass a narrow place, the two parts being
afterward united and rehooped.
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3. (Carp.) The framework in arched or coved ceilings to which
the laths are nailed. --Knight.
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