cradling(动词 cradle 的现在分词/动名词):把……像放在摇篮里一样托着、抱着、轻轻支撑或保护,常带有温柔、细致、呵护的语感。(名词用法可指“怀抱/托举的动作”。)
/ˈkreɪdlɪŋ/
She is cradling the baby in her arms.
她正把婴儿抱在怀里轻轻托着。
Cradling the fragile vase against his chest, he moved through the crowded room as carefully as possible.
他把易碎的花瓶贴在胸前托着,在拥挤的房间里尽可能小心地挪动。
Cradle 原义是“摇篮”,来自古英语 cradol(摇篮、婴儿床),属于日耳曼语系词源。后来由“把婴儿放进摇篮并轻轻照料”的具体动作,引申为“温柔地托住/怀抱/保护”。词尾 -ing 构成进行时或动名词形式,表示“正在托抱/托抱这一动作”。