swaddle

[ swod-l ]

verb (used with object)

, swad·dled, swad·dling.

1. to bind (an infant, especially a newborn infant) with long, narrow strips of cloth to prevent free movement; wrap tightly with clothes.
2. to wrap (anything) round with bandages.

noun

1. a long, narrow strip of cloth used for swaddling or bandaging.

swaddle

/ ˈswɒdəl /

verb

1. to wind a bandage round
2. to wrap (a baby) in swaddling clothes
3. to restrain as if by wrapping with bandages; smother

noun

1. swaddling clothes

Other Words From

• un·swaddled adjective
• un·swaddling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swaddle¹

1375–1425; late Middle English, in suadiling (gerund); akin by gradation to Middle English swethel (noun), Old English; swathe ¹, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of swaddle¹

C15: from Old English swæthel swaddling clothes; related to swathian to swathe

Example Sentences

Later that morning she swaddled a second crying child and pushed them over after saying: "I’m actually going to kick him in a minute."

From BBC

Chasing down a comment on male-imposed expectations — and, more subtly, self-imposed ones — her macro lens swaddles everything in consumable lushness.

From Los Angeles Times

The jury heard that Genevieve had been swaddled and face down on the beanbag when she became unwell.

From BBC

Alas, getting elected president allowed Trump to finally swaddle himself in the pomp that allows him to successfully delude himself into believing he has an air of dignified stature.

From Salon

Video shows firefighters and emergency personnel delivering the child and swaddling the newborn in a white towel.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clothe
• sheathe