Swallow \Swal"low\, n. [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.
      
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   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.
         
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   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.
      
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   3. (Naut.) The aperture in a block through which the rope
      reeves. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
      
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   {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.
      
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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[aum]lja, 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.
      
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            As if I had swallowed snowballs for pills. --Shak.
      
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   2. To draw into an abyss or gulf; to ingulf; to absorb --
      usually followed by up. --Milton.
      
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            The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up,
            and their houses.                     --Num. xvi.
                                                  32.
      
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   3. To receive or embrace, as opinions or belief, without
      examination or scruple; to receive implicitly.
      
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            Though that story . . . be not so readily swallowed.
                                                  --Sir T.
                                                  Browne.
      
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   4. To engross; to appropriate; -- usually with up.
      
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            Homer excels . . . in this, that he swallowed up the
            honor of those who succeeded him.     --Pope.
      
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   5. To occupy; to take up; to employ.
      
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            The necessary provision of the life swallows the
            greatest part of their time.          --Locke.
      
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   6. To seize and waste; to exhaust; to consume.
      
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            Corruption swallowed what the liberal hand
            Of bounty scattered.                  --Thomson.
      
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   7. To retract; to recant; as, to swallow one's opinions.
      "Swallowed his vows whole." --Shak.
      
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   8. To put up with; to bear patiently or without retaliation;
      as, to swallow an affront or insult.
      
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   Syn: To absorb; imbibe; ingulf; engross; consume. See
        {Absorb}.
        
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Swallow \Swal"low\, v. i.
   To perform the act of swallowing; as, his cold is so severe
   he is unable to swallow.
   
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Swallow \Swal"low\, n.
   1. The act of swallowing.
      
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   2. The gullet, or esophagus; the throat.
      
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   3. Taste; relish; inclination; liking. [Colloq.]
      
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            I have no swallow for it.             --Massinger.
      
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   4. Capacity for swallowing; voracity.
      
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            There being nothing too gross for the swallow of
            political rancor.                     --Prof.
                                                  Wilson.
      
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   5. As much as is, or can be, swallowed at once; as, a swallow
      of water.
      
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   6. That which ingulfs; a whirlpool. [Obs.] --Fabyan.
      
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