Cradle

kra'dl. n. A rocking bed for infants place in which anything nurtured or protected during immaturity; infancy. (Agric.) A light framework added to a scythe, to receive grain as cut, and lay in swaths. (Engraving.) An instrument for preparing plates for mezzotints. (Ship-building.) A framework of timbers to support a ve el when out of water. (Surg.) A case tor a broken bone. — [cradled (kra'dld), cradling.] To lay, or rock in a cradle; to nurse in infancy; to cut and lay with a — cradle, as grain. Tolie or lodge, as in a cradle. (Mining.) A machine roeked by the hand for washing out auriferous earth. [AS. cradol, W. cryd L. crates, E. hurdle.]