dandle
English
Etymology
Compare Scots dandill (“to dander; go about idly; move uncertainly; trifle”), English dialectal dander (“to wander about; talk incoherently; rave”), Middle Dutch dantinnen (“to trifle”) (from French dandiner (“to swing; waddle”)), German dändeln, tändeln (“to trifle, dandle”), Middle Dutch and Provincial German danten (“to do foolish things; trifle”), German Tand (“trifle, prattle”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈdændəl/, [ˈdændəɫ]
Audio (UK): (file)
Verb
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- (transitive) To move up and down on one's knee or in one's arms, in affectionate play, as an infant.
- 1978, Bible, New International Version, Isaiah 66:12
- You will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.
- 1978, Bible, New International Version, Isaiah 66:12
- (transitive) To treat with fondness, as if a child; to fondle; to toy with; to pet.
- (Can we date this quote by Addison and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- [T]hey have put me in a silk night-gown and gaudy fool's cap, and make me now and then stand in the window with it. I am ashamed to be dandled thus, and cannot look in the glass without blushing to see myself turned into such a pretty little master.
- (Can we date this quote by Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- The book, thus dandled into popularity by bishops and good ladies, contained many pieces of nursery eloquence.
- (Can we date this quote by Addison and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- (transitive, obsolete) To play with; to put off or delay by trifles; to wheedle.
- 1596, Edmund Spenser, A View of the present State of Ireland
- captaines, who notwithstanding that they are specially imployed to make peace thorough strong execution of warre, yet they doe so dandle their doings, and dallie in the service to them committed
- 1596, Edmund Spenser, A View of the present State of Ireland
Derived terms
Translations
to move up and down on one's knee or in one's arms, in affectionate play
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to treat with fondness, as if a child
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