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Gondola
The gondola (English: , Italian: [ˈɡondola]; Venetian: góndoła [ˈɡoŋdoɰa]) is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. It is similar to a canoe, except it is narrower. It is propelled by a gondolier, who uses a rowing oar, which is not fastened to the hull, in a sculling manner and acts as the rudder.For centuries, the gondola was a major means of transportation and the most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times, the boats still do have a role in public transport in the city, serving as traghetti (small ferries) over the Grand Canal operated by two oarsmen. For some years there were seven traghetti, but by 2017, the number had been reduced to three.
Various types of gondola boats are also used in special regattas (rowing races) held amongst gondoliers. Their primary role today, however, is to carry tourists on rides at fixed rates. There are approximately 400 licensed gondoliers in Venice and a similar number of boats, down from the thousands that travelled the canals centuries ago. However, they are now elegant craft, instead of the various types of shabby homemade boats of the distant past.
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Cradle (noun)
A oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots.
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Cradle (noun)
The place of origin, or in which anything is nurtured or protected in the earlier period of existence.
“a cradle of crime”
“the cradle of liberty”
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Cradle (noun)
Infancy, or very early life.
“from the cradle to the grave”
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Cradle (noun)
An implement consisting of a broad scythe for cutting grain, with a set of long fingers parallel to the scythe, designed to receive the grain, and to lay it evenly in a swath.
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Cradle (noun)
A tool used in mezzotint engraving, which, by a rocking motion, raises burrs on the surface of the plate, so preparing the ground.
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Cradle (noun)
A framework of timbers, or iron bars, moving upon ways or rollers, used to support, lift, or carry ships or other vessels, heavy guns, etc., as up an inclined plane, or across a strip of land, or in launching a ship.
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Cradle (noun)
A case for a broken or dislocated limb.
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Cradle (noun)
A frame to keep the bedclothes from contact with the sensitive parts of an injured person.
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Cradle (noun)
A machine on rockers, used in washing out auriferous earth.
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Cradle (noun)
A suspended scaffold used in shafts.
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Cradle (noun)
A ribbing for vaulted ceilings and arches intended to be covered with plaster.
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Cradle (noun)
A basket or apparatus in which, when a line has been made fast to a wrecked ship from the shore, the people are brought off from the wreck.
“The cradle was ill-made. One victim fell into the sea and was lost and the ensuing delay cost three more lives.”
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Cradle (noun)
A rest for the receiver of a telephone, or for certain computer hardware.
“He slammed the handset into the cradle.”
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Cradle (noun)
A hand position allowing a contact ball to be held steadily on the back of the hand.
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Cradle (noun)
A mechanical device for tilting and decanting a bottle of wine.
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Cradle (verb)
To contain in or as if in a cradle.
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Cradle (verb)
To rock a baby to sleep.
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Cradle (verb)
To wrap protectively, to hold gently and protectively.
“cradling the injured man’s head in her arms”
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Cradle (verb)
To lull or quieten, as if by rocking.
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Cradle (verb)
To nurse or train in infancy.
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Cradle (verb)
To rock the lacrosse stick back and forth in order to keep the ball in the head by means of centrifugal force.
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Cradle (verb)
To cut and lay (grain) with a cradle.
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Cradle (verb)
To transport a vessel by means of a cradle.
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Cradle (verb)
To put ribs across the back of (a picture), to prevent the panels from warping.
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Gondola (verb)
To travel by gondola.