Cradle, kra' -dl, s

a crib for. rocking children to sleep; birthplace or nursery; infancy; a frame in which a thing is embedded; a case in which a broken leg is laid after being set; a case to protect a wound [Surg.]; a frame placed under the bottom of a ship for launching; a standing bedstead for wounded seamen; asteel instrument resembling chisel, with one sloping side, used in scraping mezzotints and preparing the plate; aframe of wood with long bending teeth fastened to scythe, for cutting and laying oats and other grain in a swathe; a contrivance to prevent horses from biting; a gold-washing machine: v.a. to lay or rock in a cradle; to compose of quiet; to nurse in infancy; to cut and lay corn with a cradle: v.n. to lie or lodge, as in a cradle (A.S. cradol).