cradle

berceau

Petit lit pour bébé qui peut se balancer doucement.

En anglais simple : A small bed for a baby that can move gently backwards and forwards.

• The baby slept in a cradle.
• She gently rocked the cradle with her foot.
• They put a soft blanket inside the wooden cradle.

Expressions courantes : a wooden cradle, in the cradle, rock a cradle

petite enfance

Toute première période de la vie d’une personne, dès sa naissance.

En anglais simple : The earliest part of someone’s life, beginning at birth.

• She had known him from the cradle.
• Music surrounded him from the cradle.
• The story follows her life from the cradle to the grave.

Comment l'utiliser : from the cradle to the grave (The scheme provides support from the cradle to the grave.)

Synonymes : infancy

Expressions courantes : from the cradle, cradle to grave

berceau de bateau

Cadre solide qui soutient un bateau pendant sa construction ou sa réparation.

En anglais simple : A strong frame that supports a boat while it is being built or repaired.

• The boat rests on a cradle.
• Workers checked the cradle before repairing the hull.
• The shipyard built a steel cradle for the damaged vessel.

Synonymes : support frame

Expressions courantes : boat cradle, repair cradle, on a cradle, launching cradle

tenir délicatement

Tenir quelqu’un ou quelque chose avec douceur et précaution, souvent dans les bras.

En anglais simple : To hold someone or something gently and carefully, often in your arms.

• She cradled the baby in her arms.
• He cradled a warm cup between his hands.
• The nurse gently cradled the injured man’s head.

Comment l'utiliser : cradle someone/something in your arms/hands (He cradled the injured bird in his hands.)

Synonymes : hold, cuddle

Expressions courantes : cradle someone’s head, cradle in arms, cradle a cup

bercer

Balancer doucement un bébé pour l’aider à s’endormir.

En anglais simple : To move a baby gently backwards and forwards to help them sleep.

• She cradled the baby to sleep.
• He softly sang as he cradled his newborn.
• The mother cradled her restless child until he fell asleep.

Comment l'utiliser : cradle someone to sleep (She cradled her daughter to sleep.)

Synonymes : rock

Expressions courantes : cradle a baby, cradle someone to sleep

abriter, contenir

Contenir quelque chose dans un support ou l’entourer d’un espace protecteur.

En anglais simple : To contain something in a bed or support, or surround it as a protective space.

• The frame cradles the boat.
• Green hills cradled the quiet village.
• The fitted base cradles the glass sphere securely.

Synonymes : contain, support

Expressions courantes : cradle a boat, cradle a village