Swathen

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Wrapped tightly in bands of cloth or bandage, as an archaic past participle of swathe
2. Bound up in strips of linen or other fabric, an old form of the verb swathe
3. Enveloped or bound round with cloth bands, the archaic participle of swathe

Etymology: "Swathen" is an archaic past participle of "swathe," meaning wrapped or bound tightly, as in a bandaged limb or an infant wrapped in cloth. Its ancestor is the noun "swathe," a strip of cloth or bandage, which English has used since Middle English and which is related to "swaddle." Like many older past participles, it follows the pattern of strong verbs such as "sewn" and "shaven," which is why it sounds more poetic or biblical today. The "swath" in the sense of a strip of grass cut by a scythe is a separate word, though the two are often confused.

Synonyms: wrap, swaddle, bind, bundle, envelop

Antonyms: unwrap, unbind