swallow

swallow

¹

1. Nautical the opening between the shell and the groove of the sheave of a block, through which the rope is passed

2. Rare another word for throat, gullet

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swallow

²

1. any passerine songbird of the family Hirundinidae, esp Hirundo rustica (common or barn swallow), having long pointed wings, a forked tail, short legs, and a rapid flight

2. See fairy swallow

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

swallow

bird that cried “consolation” at Lord’s crucifixion. [Animal Symbolism: Brewer Dictionary, 1050]

See: Grief

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swallow

harbinger of the spring season. [Animal Symbolism: Mercatante, 164]

See: Spring

Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.