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.
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}.
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.