foundling wheel

English

Noun

foundling wheel (plural foundling wheels)

a revolving crib set in the wall of a church or convent, allowing an abandoned baby to be left anonymously and safely.

Usage notes

Foundling wheels were common from the 12th to the 18th centuries, but are now being used again in some parts of Europe.

Synonyms

baby hatch

Translations

revolving crib

Finnish: vauvaluukku
French: tour d’abandon (fr) m
Italian: ruota dei trovatelli
Portuguese: roda (pt) f

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