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 catchers wire mask."

Cage (kāj), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Caged (kājd); 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's unabridged 1913