swaddle
verb
- to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈswɒdəl/ / /ˈswɔdəl/ / /ˈswɑdəl/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English swathlen (“to bind; swaddle”), from Middle English swathel, swethel, from Old English swaþul, swæþel, sweþel, sweoþol (“swaddling cloth”), equivalent to swathe (“to wrap with fabric”) + -le (agent/instrumental suffix), the word then underwent th-stopping (its voiced th became a d). Cognate with Middle Dutch swadel (“swaddling; bandage”), Old High German swedili (“poultice”), Old English sweþian, besweþian (“to wrap; swaddle”).
- Anything used to swaddle with, such as a cloth or band.
“They put me in bed in all my swaddles.”
“The baby is awake, trying to escape the swaddle I have imprisoned her in.”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English swathlen (“to bind; swaddle”), from Middle English swathel, swethel, from Old English swaþul, swæþel, sweþel, sweoþol (“swaddling cloth”), equivalent to swathe (“to wrap with fabric”) + -le (agent/instrumental suffix), the word then underwent th-stopping (its voiced th became a d). Cognate with Middle Dutch swadel (“swaddling; bandage”), Old High German swedili (“poultice”), Old English sweþian, besweþian (“to wrap; swaddle”).
- To bind (a baby) with long narrow strips of cloth.
- To beat; cudgel.