DANDLE Definition & Meaning

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dandle

[ dan-dl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

dandled, dandling.

to move (a baby, child, etc.) lightly up and down, as on one's knee or in one's arms.
to pet; pamper.

dandle

/ ˈ��æ�Ի�ə�� /

verb

to move (a young child, etc) up and down (on the knee or in the arms)
to pet; fondle

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Derived Forms

ˈ�岹�Ի��, noun

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

�岹��d�� noun
�ܲ�·�岹��d�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of dandle¹

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain; perhaps akin to Italian dandola, dondola “a child's doll” and its derivative verb dandolare, dondolare “to rock, swing, dangle,” and akin to French dandiner “to swing back and forth, dandle” and se dandiner “to make a hip movement, sway the hips, gyrate, waddle”

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of dandle¹

C16: of uncertain origin

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Ropes dandle like a makeshift cape against her back.

From

Recording the old popular tune “I Don’t Know Why” in 1950, for his outstanding Columbia Records debut, Garner’s fingers lick at the keys and he drags the melody along, dandling it, relishing it.

From

Mrs. Zielinski had been a great friend of my mother’s, dandling baby Helena on her knee.

From

David Jordan, 53, of Northwest Washington, dandled his 6-month-old son on his lap as the rest of his family played on a blanket.

From

Now he dandled a baby on his knee, greeted his former cellmate’s mother, checked his phone, answered a call, then yelled congratulations to another family.

From

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