swaddle

American  

[swod-l] / ˈswɒd l /

verb (used with object)

swaddled, swaddling

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.

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noun

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

swaddle British  

/ 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

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noun

1. swaddling clothes

Other Word Forms

• unswaddled adjective
• unswaddling adjective

Etymology

Origin of swaddle

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

Example Sentences

How familiar too is the fact that his little feet have kicked free of his swaddling, revealing 10 bare toes and the underside of one foot.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s part of the life of a quarterback, the expectations of toughness and stoicism, and the reliance on improvisation, even when a hand is swaddled in a cast or heavy brace.

From Los Angeles Times

Exhausted by self-pity, and swaddled tightly in her cloak like an infant, Penelope fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

From Literature

Like many people, my garage and closets are littered with the detritus of modern life—from stacks of paperbacks and fancy china to a fussy tea maker, still swaddled in its box.

From The Wall Street Journal

The trend consists of people swaddled in silicone masks and mouth tape, filming themselves removing the skin care products they slept in the night before.

From BBC

Related Words

• clothe
• sheathe