swaddling clothes
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈswɒd.lɪŋ kloʊðz/
- Archaic
:
pañales
- Christmas isn't about packages wrapped in paper; it's about a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.
- wrapped in swaddling clothes
Examples
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And you shall find the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger.
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After Joseph and Mary were married, Mary brought forth her firstborn daughter, wrapped her in swaddling clothes, and laid her in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
Blog text (5) -
"And Mary wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes and placed him in a manger."
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You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
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The baby was snugly wrapped in swaddling clothes to keep him warm and comfortable.
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In ancient times, infants were often wrapped in swaddling clothes to ensure they felt secure.
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The tradition of using swaddling clothes dates back centuries and is mentioned in many historical texts.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Things you wear to cover your body, like shirts and coats
530
1.0
Things you wear to cover your body
33
2.3
A piece of cloth worn over the shoulders for warmth or style
Long cloth strips that wrap a baby tightly to keep them warm and calm
A small cloth used to wrap people or objects
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal sense ('clothes used to swaddle a baby') is directly derivable from 'swaddle' + 'clothes', and the figurative sense (restrictions) follows a clear metaphorical mapping: swaddling limits movement, so 'swaddling clothes' can connote constraints. However, this is a literary/metaphorical extension rather than a standard, fully predictable compositional pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the words may not automatically infer the figurative meaning without exposure.
Etymology
Swaddling clothes were long strips of cloth or a small gown used long ago to wrap a baby tightly so the baby felt warm and safe. That's why the phrase refers to the cloths used to wrap a newborn.