Dan"dle (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dandled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dandling (?).] [Cf. G. dändeln to trifly, dandle,
OD. & Prov. G. danten, G. tand trifly, prattle; Scot.
dandill, dander, to go about idly, to trifly.]
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.
Addison.
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.
Spenser.