swallow
swallow
UK[ˈswɒləʊ]US[ˈswɑːloʊ]
v
To cause food, drink, or something else to pass from the mouth down the throat and into the stomach.
v
To accept or believe something without question or protest.
v
To use up or take in, making something less noticeable.
n
An act of swallowing something.
n
A small migratory bird with a forked tail and long pointed wings, noted for its graceful flight.
Etymology
The verb 'swallow' originates from the Old English 'swelgan', meaning "to ingest, devour," which is of Germanic origin and related to Dutch 'zwelgen' and German 'schwelgen'. The bird name 'swallow' comes from the Old English 'swalewe', also of Germanic origin. Despite their identical modern spelling, these are two separate words that converged in form. The connection between the verb's action and the bird is purely coincidental, with no shared etymological root, making 'swallow' a classic example of homonymy in English.
Analysis
The modern English word 'swallow' (verb) and 'swallow' (bird) are homographs that derive from two distinct and unsegmentable Old English roots.
Examples
He took a sip of water to help him swallow the pill.
I find it hard to swallow his extravagant excuses.
A swallow darted gracefully across the evening sky.