Swallow

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["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. [1913 Webster]

As if I had swallowed snowballs for pills. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. To draw into an abyss or gulf; to ingulf; to absorb -- usually followed by up. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses. --Num. xvi. 32. [1913 Webster]

3. To receive or embrace, as opinions or belief, without examination or scruple; to receive implicitly. [1913 Webster]

Though that story . . . be not so readily swallowed. --Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]

4. To engross; to appropriate; -- usually with up. [1913 Webster]

Homer excels . . . in this, that he swallowed up the honor of those who succeeded him. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

5. To occupy; to take up; to employ. [1913 Webster]

The necessary provision of the life swallows the greatest part of their time. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

6. To seize and waste; to exhaust; to consume. [1913 Webster]

Corruption swallowed what the liberal hand Of bounty scattered. --Thomson. [1913 Webster]

7. To retract; to recant; as, to swallow one's opinions. ``Swallowed his vows whole.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

8. To put up with; to bear patiently or without retaliation; as, to swallow an affront or insult. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To absorb; imbibe; ingulf; engross; consume. See {Absorb}. [1913 Webster]