cup your hands, cup something in your hands

5. VERB

If you cup your hands, you make them into a curved shape like a cup.

• He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out for Diane.     
• David knelt, cupped his hands and splashed river water on to his face.     
• She held it in her cupped hands for us to see.

6. VERB

If you cup something in your hands, you make your hands into a curved dish-like shape and support it or hold it gently.

• He cupped her chin in the palm of his hand.     
• He cradled the baby in his arms, his hands cupping her tiny skull.

... Cobuild