Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Swallow \Swal"low\, n. [OE. swalowe, AS. swalewe, swealwe; akin
   to D. zwaluw, OHG. swalawa, G. schwalbe, Icel. & Sw. svala,
   Dan. svale.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of passerine birds
      of the family {Hirundinid[ae]}, especially one of those
      species in which the tail is deeply forked. They have
      long, pointed wings, and are noted for the swiftness and
      gracefulness of their flight.

   Note: The most common North American species are the barn
         swallow (see under {Barn}), the cliff, or eaves,
         swallow (see under {Cliff}), the white-bellied, or
         tree, swallow ({Tachycineta bicolor}), and the bank
         swallow (see under {Bank}). The common European swallow
         ({Chelidon rustica}), and the window swallow, or martin
         ({Chelidon urbica}), are familiar species.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of swifts which
      resemble the true swallows in form and habits, as the
      common American chimney swallow, or swift.

   3. (Naut.) The aperture in a block through which the rope
      reeves. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

   {Swallow plover} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
      fork-tailed ploverlike birds of the genus {Glareola}, as
      {G. orientalis} of India; a pratincole.

   {Swallow shrike} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
      East Indian and Asiatic birds of the family
      {Artamiid[ae]}, allied to the shrikes but similar to
      swallows in appearance and habits. The ashy swallow shrike
      ({Artamus fuscus}) is common in India.

   {Swallow warbler} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
      East Indian and Australian singing birds of the genus
      {Dic[ae]um}. They are allied to the honeysuckers.