Definition of cradle

cradlenoun

cái nôi

/ˈkreɪdl//ˈkreɪdl/

The word "cradle" has its origins in Old English. The first recorded use of the word "cradle" dates back to the 9th century, derived from the Old English words "cridel" or "cridlian," which referred to a basket or a bed. The word is thought to have been influenced by the Latin word "crida," meaning "to enclose" or "to surround." In the Middle English period (around the 13th to 15th centuries), the word "cradle" began to take on its modern meaning, referring to a bed or a device used to rock or hold a baby. The word has since evolved to encompass various meanings, including a metaphorical "cradle" for an idea or a device for supporting something fragile. Despite its evolution, the word's roots remain tied to its Old English origins as a term for a basket or bed.

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a small bed for a baby that can be pushed gently from side to side

một chiếc giường nhỏ dành cho em bé có thể được đẩy nhẹ nhàng từ bên này sang bên kia

Example:
  • She rocked the baby to sleep in its cradle.

    Cô đu đưa đứa bé ngủ trong nôi.

the place where something important began

nơi bắt đầu một điều gì đó quan trọng

Example:
  • Greece, the cradle of Western civilization

    Hy Lạp, cái nôi của nền văn minh phương Tây

a small platform that can be moved up and down the outside of a high building, used by people cleaning windows, etc.

một cái bục nhỏ có thể di chuyển lên xuống bên ngoài một tòa nhà cao tầng, được sử dụng bởi những người lau cửa sổ, v.v.

the part of a phone on which the handset rests

phần của điện thoại mà điện thoại nằm trên đó

Related words and phrases

Idioms

from the cradle to the grave
a way of referring to the whole of a person’s life, from birth until death
rob the cradle
(North American English, informal)to have a sexual relationship with a much younger person