swallow
swal·low1 / ˈswälō/ • v. [tr.] cause or allow (something, esp. food or drink) to pass down the throat: she swallowed a mouthful slowly. ∎ [intr.] perform the muscular movement of the esophagus required to do this, esp. through fear or nervousness: she swallowed hard, sniffing back her tears. ∎ put up with or meekly accept (something insulting or unwelcome): he seemed ready to swallow any insult. ∎ believe unquestioningly (a lie or unlikely assertion): she had swallowed his story hook, line, and sinker. ∎ resist expressing (a feeling) or uttering (words): he swallowed his pride. ∎ take in and cause to disappear; engulf: the dark mist swallowed her up. ∎ completely use up (money or resources): debts swallowed up most of the money he had gotten for the house.• n. an act of swallowing something, esp. food or drink: he downed his drink in one swallow. ∎ an amount of something swallowed in one action: he said he'd like just a swallow of pie.DERIVATIVES: swal·low·a·ble adj.swal·low·er n.swal·low2 • n. a migratory swift-flying songbird (Hirundo and other genera, family Hirundinidae) with a forked tail and long pointed wings, feeding on insects in flight. Its numerous species include the widespread barn swallow (H. rustica).