Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1876-1890
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CRADLIE-BA', CRADLIE-BYES, CRADLEY-BA, CREDDLIE-BA', n., v. [′kredli ′bɑ: (bɑɪz), ′krɛdli —]
1. n. A name for a cradle; "a lullaby" (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.; Bnff.7 1927). Kcb.10 (1940) gives the forms cradlie-byes, creddlie-. Cf. beddie ba s.v. Beddie.Edb. 1876 J. Smith Archie and Bess 64:
Mother Jeanie (lifting up a braw fat sonsy bairn frae his creddlie-ba' . . .).Kcb. 1890 A. J. Armstrong Musings 143:
An' Dotty in her cradley-ba Is mammie's bonnie bairnie.
2. v. To lie still, "cuddle down."Rnf. 1877 J. M. Neilson Poems 103:
Whist, my darlin' tottie, Cradlie-ba' an' sleep — Nicht is unca eerie, Life is unca steep.
