Cage (?), n. [F. cage, fr. L. cavea cavity, cage, fr. cavus hollow. Cf. Cave, n., Cajole, Gabion.]
1.
A box or inclosure, wholly or partly of openwork, in wood or metal, used for confining birds or other animals.
In his cage, like parrot fine and gay.
Cowper.
2.
A place of confinement for malefactors
Shak.
Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage.
Lovelace.
3. Carp.
An outer framework of timber, inclosing something within it; as the cage of a staircase.
Gwilt.
4. Mach. (a)
A skeleton frame to limit the motion of a loose piece, as a ball valve.
(b)
A wirework strainer, used in connection with pumps and pipes.
5.
The box, bucket, or inclosed platform of a lift or elevator; a cagelike structure moving in a shaft.
6. Mining
The drum on which the rope is wound in a hoisting whim.
7. Baseball
The catcher's wire mask.
© Webster 1913.
Cage (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Caged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Caging.]
To confine in, or as in, a cage; to shut up or confine.
"
Caged and starved to death."
Cowper.
© Webster 1913.