cage

UK: keɪdʒ | US: keɪdʒ

Definition

  1. n. a structure made of bars or wires for confining animals or birds

  2. vt. to confine in or as if in a cage

Structure
cag <enclosure>e <silent letter>
Etymology

The word "cage" originates from Old French cage, meaning "prison, cage," derived from Latin cavea (hollow, enclosure, coop). The Latin root cav- (hollow) also gives rise to words like "cave" and "cavern." Over time, the term narrowed to specifically denote barred enclosures for animals, retaining its core idea of confinement.

Examples

  1. The bird fluttered nervously inside its cage.

  2. Zookeepers cleaned the lion’s cage every morning.

  3. She felt caged by the strict rules of her job.

  4. The old castle had a dungeon with iron cages.

  5. He caged the injured squirrel until it could be released.