Dandle

Dandle
Dandle Dan"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dandled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dandling}.] [Cf. G. d["a]ndeln to trifly, dandle, OD. & Prov. G. danten, G. tand trifly, prattle; Scot. dandill, dander, to go about idly, to trifly.] 1. To move up and down on one's knee or in one's arms, in affectionate play, as an infant. [1913 Webster]

Ye shall be dandled . . . upon her knees. --Is.? [1913 Webster]

2. To treat with fondness, as if a child; to fondle; to toy with; to pet. [1913 Webster]

They have put me in a silk gown and gaudy fool's cap; I as ashamed to be dandled thus. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

The book, thus dandled into popularity by bishops and good ladies, contained many pieces of nursery eloquence. --Jeffrey. [1913 Webster]

3. To play with; to put off or delay by trifles; to wheedle. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Captains do so dandle their doings, and dally in the service, as it they would not have the enemy subdued. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • dandle — (v.) 1520s, of unknown origin. Perhaps somehow felt to be imitative. Cf. It. dondolare to dandle, swing, and Fr. dandiner, from O.Fr. dandin small bell, imitative of its sound. Related: Dandled; dandling …   Etymology dictionary

  • dandle — cuddle, pet, cosset, fondle, *caress Analogous words: *trifle, toy, dally: *play, sport, disport: *handle, swing …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • dandle — [v] caress, cuddle amuse, cosset, cradle, dance, fondle, love, nuzzle, pet, play, ride on knee, rock, sport, toss, toy*, toy with*; concepts 147,190 …   New thesaurus

  • dandle — ► VERB ▪ gently bounce (a young child) on one s knees or in one s arms. ORIGIN of unknown origin …   English terms dictionary

  • dandle — [dan′dəl] vt. dandled, dandling [< ? or akin to OIt dandolare, (later) dondolare, to swing up and down, dally, trifle] 1. to dance (a small child) up and down on the knee or in the arms 2. to pamper; indulge SYN. CARESS …   English World dictionary

  • dandle — UK [ˈdænd(ə)l] / US verb [transitive] Word forms dandle : present tense I/you/we/they dandle he/she/it dandles present participle dandling past tense dandled past participle dandled old fashioned to move a baby or young child up and down gently… …   English dictionary

  • dandle — dandler, n. /dan dl/, v.t., dandled, dandling. 1. to move (a baby, child, etc.) lightly up and down, as on one s knee or in one s arms. 2. to pet; pamper. [1520 30; dand (obscurely akin to the base of F dandiner to dandle, se dandiner to waddle,… …   Universalium

  • dandle — dan•dle [[t]ˈdæn dl[/t]] v. t. dled, dling 1) to move (as a child) lightly up and down, on one s knee or in one s arms 2) to pet; pamper • Etymology: 1520–30; dand (obscurely akin to the base of F dandiner to dandle, se dandiner to waddle, and… …   From formal English to slang

  • dandle — /ˈdændl/ (say dandl) verb (t) (dandled, dandling) 1. to move lightly up and down, as a child on the knees or in the arms. 2. to pet. {? from Italian dondolare; or ? from Scandinavian; compare Faeroese danda dandle} –dandler, noun …  

  • dandle — transitive verb (dandled; dandling) Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1530 1. to move (as a baby) up and down in one s arms or on one s knee in affectionate play 2. pamper, pet …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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