Cat's cradle

Cat's cradle
Cradle Cra"dle (kr[=a]d'l), n. [AS. cradel, cradol, prob. from Celtic; cf. Gael. creathall, Ir. craidhal, W. cryd a shaking or rocking, a cradle; perh. akin to E. crate.] 1. A bed or cot for a baby, oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots; hence, the place of origin, or in which anything is nurtured or protected in the earlier period of existence; as, a cradle of crime; the cradle of liberty. [1913 Webster]

The cradle that received thee at thy birth. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

No sooner was I crept out of my cradle But I was made a king, at nine months old. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. Infancy, or very early life. [1913 Webster]

From their cradles bred together. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

A form of worship in which they had been educated from their cradles. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]

3. (Agric.) An implement consisting of a broad scythe for cutting grain, with a set of long fingers parallel to the scythe, designed to receive the grain, and to lay it evenly in a swath. [1913 Webster]

4. (Engraving) A tool used in mezzotint engraving, which, by a rocking motion, raises burrs on the surface of the plate, so preparing the ground. [1913 Webster]

5. A framework of timbers, or iron bars, moving upon ways or rollers, used to support, lift, or carry ships or other vessels, heavy guns, etc., as up an inclined plane, or across a strip of land, or in launching a ship. [1913 Webster]

6. (Med.) (a) A case for a broken or dislocated limb. (b) A frame to keep the bedclothes from contact with the person. [1913 Webster]

7. (Mining) (a) A machine on rockers, used in washing out auriferous earth; -- also called a {rocker}. [U.S.] (b) A suspended scaffold used in shafts. [1913 Webster]

8. (Carp.) The ribbing for vaulted ceilings and arches intended to be covered with plaster. --Knight. [1913 Webster]

9. (Naut.) The basket or apparatus in which, when a line has been made fast to a wrecked ship from the shore, the people are brought off from the wreck. [1913 Webster]

{Cat's cradle}. See under {Cat}.

{Cradle hole}, a sunken place in a road, caused by thawing, or by travel over a soft spot.

{Cradle scythe}, a broad scythe used in a cradle for cutting grain. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Cat's cradle — is a well known series of string figures created between two people as a game. The name of the entire game, the specific figures, their order, and the names of the figures vary. Versions of this game have been found in indigenous cultures all… …   Wikipedia

  • Cat's cradle — cat cat (k[a^]t), n. [AS. cat; akin to D. & Dan. kat, Sw. katt, Icel. k[ o]ttr, G. katze, kater, Ir. cat, W. cath, Armor. kaz, LL. catus, Bisc. catua, NGr. ga ta, ga tos, Russ. & Pol. kot, Turk. kedi, Ar. qitt; of unknown origin. Cf. {Kitten}.] 1 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cat's cradle — n 1.) [U] a game you play by winding string around your fingers to make different patterns 2.) [singular] a set of lines, threads etc that form a complicated pattern ▪ The searchlights wove a cat s cradle of light …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • cat's cradle — noun uncount a game in which children hold a piece of string around their hands and make patterns by moving their fingers through the string …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • cat's cradle — ► NOUN ▪ a child s game in which patterns are constructed in a loop of string held between the fingers of each hand …   English terms dictionary

  • cat's cradle — n. a children s pastime in which a string looped over the fingers is transferred back and forth on the hands of the players so as to form different designs …   English World dictionary

  • Cat's Cradle — For other uses see Cat s cradle (disambiguation). Infobox Book name = Cat s Cradle title orig = Cat s Cradle translator = image caption = First edition hardback cover author = Kurt Vonnegut illustrator = cover artist = country = United States… …   Wikipedia

  • cat's cradle — noun Date: 1754 1. a game in which a string looped in a pattern like a cradle on the fingers of one person s hands is transferred to the hands of another so as to form a different figure 2. something that is intricate, complicated, or elaborate …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Cat's cradle (disambiguation) — Cat s cradle may refer to:*Cat s cradle, the specific string figure game and the specific figure, cat s cradle *String figures and games in general *Cat s Cradle, the novel *Cat s in the Cradle, the Harry Chapin song *Cat s Cradle (television… …   Wikipedia

  • cat's cradle — cat s′ cra′dle n. gam a game in which two players alternately stretch a looped string over their fingers to produce different designs • Etymology: 1760–70 …   From formal English to slang

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