Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            It cradles their fears to sleep.      --D. A. Clark.

   2. To nurse or train in infancy.

            He that hath been cradled in majesty will not leave
            the throne to play with beggars.      --Glanvill.

   3. To cut and lay with a cradle, as grain.

   4. To transport a vessel by means of a cradle.

            In Lombardy . . . boats are cradled and transported
            over the grade.                       --Knight.

   {To cradle a picture}, to put ribs across the back of a
      picture, to prevent the panels from warping.

Cradling \Cra"dling\ (-dl?ng), n.
   1. The act of using a cradle.

   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.

   3. (Carp.) The framework in arched or coved ceilings to which
      the laths are nailed. --Knight.