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dandle

Verb
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

To bounce or rock gently, especially a child, on the knee or in the arms.

Detailed Definition
Dandle is an older verb used for lightly bouncing or soothing a baby or small child. Here it helps Keats mock love as something fussed over and treated like an infant toy.
Example
Example in poetry:
“It is a doll dress’d up / For idleness to cosset, nurse, and dandle” makes dandle mean to bounce or fondle affectionately; “She dandled the child upon her knee” shows its literal domestic sense; Poets may use dandle ironically when adults pamper vanity, privilege, or a cherished illusion; “He dandled his excuses like pets” extends the verb metaphorically
Additional Notes
The verb 'dandle' is an uncommon older word, and the line shows it in a sense many readers would not know immediately.; Found in the poem, Modern Love by John Keats
Also Known As
rock cradle sway
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