swaddle

transitive verb swad·dle \ˈswä-d^əl\

: to wrap (someone, especially a baby) tightly with a blanket, pieces of cloth, etc.

swad·dledswad·dling \ˈswäd-liŋ, ˈswä-d^əl-iŋ\

Full Definition of SWADDLE

a : to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes

b : envelop, swathe <legs swaddled in bandages>

: restrain, restrict <marriage…swaddled him in a domesticity he came to loathe — Nina Auerbach>

See swaddle defined for kids

Origin of SWADDLE

Middle English swadelen, swathelen, probably alteration of swedelen, swethelen, from swethel swaddling band, from Old English; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with SWADDLE

coddle, model, noddle, toddle, twaddle, waddle

Learn More About SWADDLE

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "swaddle"

Nglish: Translation of "swaddle" for Spanish speakers

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