Swal"let (?), n. [Cf. G. schwall a sea swell, from schwellen to swell,
E. swell.] Water breaking in upon the miners at their work; -- so
called among tin miners. [Prov. Eng.]
Swal"low (?), n. [OE. swalowe, AS. swalewe, swealwe; akin to D. zwaluw,
OHG. swalawa, G. schwalbe, Icel. & Sw. svala, Dan. svale.] 1. (Zoöl.)
Any one of numerous species of passerine birds of the family
Hirundinidæ, especially one of those species in which the tail is
deeply forked. They have long, pointed wings, and are noted for the
swiftness and gracefulness of their flight.
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. (Zoöl.) 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 (Zoöl.), any one of several species of fork-tailed
ploverlike birds of the genus Glareola, as G. orientalis of India; a
pratincole. -- Swallow shrike (Zoöl.), any one of several species of
East Indian and Asiatic birds of the family Artamiidæ, allied to the
shrikes but similar to swallows in appearance and habits. The ashy
swallow shrike (Artamus fuscus) is common in India. -- Swallow warbler
(Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of East Indian and Australian
singing birds of the genus Dicæum. They are allied to the honeysuckers.
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. svälja, Dan. svælge. 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.