Swallow \Swal"low\, n. [OE. swalowe, AS. swalewe, swealwe; akin to D. zwaluw, OHG. swalawa, G. schwalbe, Icel. & Sw. svala, Dan. svale.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of passerine birds of the family Hirundinid[ae], especially one of those species in which the tail is deeply forked. They have long, pointed wings, and are noted for the swiftness and gracefulness of their flight.

Note: The most common North American species are the barn swallow (see under Barn), the cliff, or eaves, swallow (see under Cliff), the white-bellied, or tree, swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), and the bank swallow (see under Bank). The common European swallow (Chelidon rustica), and the window swallow, or martin (Chelidon urbica), are familiar species.

2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of swifts which resemble the true swallows in form and habits, as the common American chimney swallow, or swift.

3. (Naut.) The aperture in a block through which the rope reeves. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

Swallow plover (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of fork-tailed ploverlike birds of the genus Glareola, as G. orientalis of India; a pratincole.

Swallow shrike (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of East Indian and Asiatic birds of the family Artamiid[ae], allied to the shrikes but similar to swallows in appearance and habits. The ashy swallow shrike (Artamus fuscus) is common in India.

Swallow warbler (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of East Indian and Australian singing birds of the genus Dic[ae]um. They are allied to the honeysuckers.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Swallow \Swal"low\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swallowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swallowing.]

[OE. swolewen, swolwen, swolhen, AS. swelgan; akin to D. zwelgen, OHG. swelahan, swelgan, G. schwelgen to feast, to revel, Icel. svelgia to swallow, SW. sv["a]lja, Dan. sv[ae]lge. Cf. Groundsel a plant.]

1. To take into the stomach; to receive through the gullet, or esophagus, into the stomach; as, to swallow food or drink.

As if I had swallowed snowballs for pills. --Shak.

2. To draw into an abyss or gulf; to ingulf; to absorb -- usually followed by up. --Milton.

The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses. --Num. xvi. 32.

3. To receive or embrace, as opinions or belief, without examination or scruple; to receive implicitly.

Though that story . . . be not so readily swallowed. --Sir T. Browne.

4. To engross; to appropriate; -- usually with up.

Homer excels . . . in this, that he swallowed up the honor of those who succeeded him. --Pope.

5. To occupy; to take up; to employ.

The necessary provision of the life swallows the greatest part of their time. --Locke.

6. To seize and waste; to exhaust; to consume.

Corruption swallowed what the liberal hand Of bounty scattered. --Thomson.

7. To retract; to recant; as, to swallow one's opinions. ``Swallowed his vows whole.'' --Shak.

8. To put up with; to bear patiently or without retaliation; as, to swallow an affront or insult.

Syn: To absorb; imbibe; ingulf; engross; consume. See Absorb.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Swallow \Swal"low\, v. i. To perform the act of swallowing; as, his cold is so severe he is unable to swallow.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Swallow \Swal"low\, n.

1. The act of swallowing.

2. The gullet, or esophagus; the throat.

3. Taste; relish; inclination; liking. [Colloq.]

I have no swallow for it. --Massinger.

4. Capacity for swallowing; voracity.

There being nothing too gross for the swallow of political rancor. --Prof. Wilson.

5. As much as is, or can be, swallowed at once; as, a swallow of water.

6. That which ingulfs; a whirlpool. [Obs.]

--Fabyan.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)