Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.
\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}.
\Swal"low\, v. i. To perform the act of swallowing; as, his cold is so severe he is unable to 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.