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Webster 1913 Edition

Swallow

Swal′low

,
Noun.
[OE.
swalowe
, AS.
swalewe
,
swealwe
; akin to D.
zwaluw
, OHG.
swalawa
, G.
schwalbe
, Icel. & Sw.
svala
, Dan.
svale
.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of passerine birds of the family
Hirundinidae
, 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.
☞ 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.
(Zool.)
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
(Zool.)
,
any one of several species of fork-tailed ploverlike birds of the genus
Glareola
, as
Glareola orientalis
of India; a pratincole.
–
Swallow shrike
(Zool.)
,
any one of several species of East Indian and Asiatic birds of the family
Artamiidae
, allied to the shrikes but similar to swallows in appearance and habits. The ashy swallow shrike (
Artamus fuscus
) is common in India.
–
Swallow warbler
(Zool.)
,
any one of numerous species of East Indian and Australian singing birds of the genus
Dicaeum
. They are allied to the honeysuckers.

Swal′low

,
Verb.
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.
svälja
, Dan.
svaelge
. 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.
Shakespeare
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

,
Verb.
I.
To perform the act of swallowing;
as, his cold is so severe he is unable to
swallow
.

Swal′low

,
Noun.
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Swallow

SWAL'LOW

,
Noun.
A bird of the genus Hirundo, of many species, among which are the chimney swallow and the martin.

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