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.
DANDLER
Dan"dler, n.
Defn: One who dandles or fondles.
DANDRIFF
Dan"driff, n.
Defn: See Dandruff. Swift.
DANDRUFF Dandruff, n. Etym: [Prob. from W. toncrust, peel, skin + AS. dr dirty, draffy, or W. drwg bad: cf. AS. tan a letter, an eruption. sq. root240.]
Defn: A scurf which forms on the head, and comes off in small or particles. [Written also dandriff.]
DANDY
Dan"dy, n.; pl. Dandies. Etym: [Cf. F. dandin, ninny, silly fellow,
dandiner to waddle, to play the fool; prob. allied to E. dandle.
Senses 2&3 are of uncertain etymol.]
1. One who affects special finery or gives undue attention to dress; a fop; a coxcomb.