1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  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}. 

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