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Added 10 October 2026

swaddle

/ˈswɒdəl/ verb

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about swaddle at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To bind (a baby) with long narrow strips of cloth.
To beat; cudgel.

noun

Anything used to swaddle with, such as a cloth or band.

Origin

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”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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