Dandle /(?)/

Dan·dle

Dandle

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Dandled; p. pr. & vb. n. Dandling

  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.
  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.
    The book, thus dandled into popularity by bishops and good ladies, contained many pieces of nursery eloquence.
    — Jeffrey.
  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.