Meanings
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1
verb
to wrap a baby closely in cloth so that its arms and legs are held securely
The nurse showed the parents how to swaddle the newborn safely.
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2
verb
to wrap, bind, or envelop someone or something closely
He swaddled his injured hand in several layers of clean bandage.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English swathlen, related to swathe and to Old English swathul ("swaddling cloth"). The consonant changed from th to d, while the central sense of binding closely in cloth remained.