noun

1. A bed or cot for a baby, oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots.

2. The place of origin, or in which anything is nurtured or protected in the earlier period of existence.

   “a cradle of crime”

3. Infancy, or very early life.

   “from the cradle to the grave”

Synonyms: rocker, rest

verb

1. To contain in or as if in a cradle.

2. To rock (a baby to sleep).

3. To wrap protectively, to hold gently and protectively.

   “cradling the injured man’s head in her arms”