cradle /ˈkreidl/ I. n. ［c］ 1. 摇篮：in the cradle 在幼小时; from the cradle to the grave 从生到死 2.策源地，发源地：the cradle of human evolution 人类进化的发源地 Greece was the cradle of western civilization. 希腊是西方文化发源地。‖II. vt. 抱，捧：cradle a child in one’s arms 抱着小孩；cradle a cup of coffee in his hand 他手里拿着一杯咖啡