Swallowing

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[aum]lja, Dan. svaelge. 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.
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            As if I had swallowed snowballs for pills. --Shak.
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   2. To draw into an abyss or gulf; to ingulf; to absorb --
      usually followed by up. --Milton.
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            The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up,
            and their houses.                     --Num. xvi.
                                                  32.
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   3. To receive or embrace, as opinions or belief, without
      examination or scruple; to receive implicitly.
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            Though that story . . . be not so readily swallowed.
                                                  --Sir T.
                                                  Browne.
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   4. To engross; to appropriate; -- usually with up.
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            Homer excels . . . in this, that he swallowed up the
            honor of those who succeeded him.     --Pope.
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   5. To occupy; to take up; to employ.
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            The necessary provision of the life swallows the
            greatest part of their time.          --Locke.
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   6. To seize and waste; to exhaust; to consume.
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            Corruption swallowed what the liberal hand
            Of bounty scattered.                  --Thomson.
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   7. To retract; to recant; as, to swallow one's opinions.
      "Swallowed his vows whole." --Shak.
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   8. To put up with; to bear patiently or without retaliation;
      as, to swallow an affront or insult.
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   Syn: To absorb; imbibe; ingulf; engross; consume. See
        {Absorb}.
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