◙ noun 1. a very young child's bed or cot, typically one mounted on rockers • 摇篮，婴儿床 (figurative)a place, process, or event in which something originates or flourishes • [喻] 发源地；产生过程；起源 »he saw Greek art as the cradle of European civilization. 他认为希腊艺术是欧洲文化的发源地。 (the cradle)(figurative)infancy;childhood • [喻] 婴儿时期；幼儿时期 »the welfare state was set up to provide care from the cradle to the grave. 建立福利国家是为了给人们提供“从摇篮到坟墓”的照顾。 2. a framework resembling a cradle, in particular • 类似于摇篮的结构，尤指 a framework on which a ship or boat rests during construction or repairs • （制造或修理船只的）支架；托架 a framework on which a worker is suspended to work on a ceiling, ship, or the vertical side of a building • （工人空中作业时的）吊篮；吊架 the part of a telephone on which the receiver rests when not in use • （电话的）听筒架；叉簧 ◙ verb, [with obj.] 1. hold gently and protectively • 轻拥；轻抱；捧住 »she cradled his head in her arms. 她用双手捧住他的头。 (figurative)be the place of origin of • [喻] 是…的摇篮地；是…的发源地 »the north-eastern states cradled an American industrial revolution. 东北部各州是美国工业革命的发源地。 2. place (a telephone receiver) in its cradle • 把（电话听筒）搁好
【语源】
1. Old English cradol, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to German Kratte 'basket'