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swallowing |
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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