swallow: Meaning and Definition of

swal•low

1. to take into the stomach by drawing through the throat and esophagus with a voluntary muscular action, as food, drink, or other substances.
2. to take in so as to envelop; withdraw from sight; assimilate or absorb: He was swallowed by the crowd.
3. to accept without question or suspicion.
4. to accept without opposition; put up with: to swallow an insult.
5. to accept for lack of an alternative: Consumers will have to swallow new price hikes.
6. to suppress (emotion, a laugh, a sob, etc.) as if by drawing it down one's throat.
7. to take back; retract: to swallow one's words.
8. to enunciate poorly; mutter: He swallowed his words.

1. to perform the act of swallowing.

1. the act or an instance of swallowing.
2. a quantity swallowed at one time; a mouthful: Take one swallow of brandy.
3. capacity for swallowing.
4. Also calledthe space in a block, between the groove of the sheave and the shell, through which the rope runs.

swal•low

1. any of numerous small, long-winged passerine birds of the family Hirundinidae, noted for their swift, graceful flight and for the extent and regularity of their migrations. Cf.
2. any of several unrelated, swallowlike birds, as the chimney swift.