Cra·dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cradled p. pr. & vb. n. Cradling ]
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.