Swallow1  —v. 1 cause or allow (food etc.) To pass down the throat. 2 perform the muscular movement required to do this. 3 accept meekly or credulously. 4 repress (a feeling etc.) (swallow one's pride). 5 articulate (words etc.) Indistinctly. 6 (often foll. By up) engulf or absorb; exhaust. —n. 1 act of swallowing. 2 amount swallowed. [old english]