01 v. t. To move up and down on one's knee or in one's arms, in affectionate play, as an infant.
imp. & p. p.
Dandled; p. pr. & vb. n.
Dandling
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1.
To move up and down on one's knee or in one's arms, in affectionate play, as an infant.“Ye shall be dandled . . . upon her knees.” — Is.�
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2.
To treat with fondness, as if a child; to fondle; to toy with; to pet.“They have put me in a silk gown and gaudy fool's cap; I as ashamed to be dandled thus.” — Addison.“The book, thus dandled into popularity by bishops and good ladies, contained many pieces of nursery eloquence.” — Jeffrey.
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3.
To play with; to put off or delay by trifles; to wheedle.[Obs.]“Captains do so dandle their doings, and dally in the service, as it they would not have the enemy subdued.” — Spenser.