Main Entry: ¹swal·low

Pronunciation: \ˈswä-(ˌ)lō\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English swalowe, from Old English swealwe; akin to Old High German swalawa swallow

Date: before 12th century

1 : any of numerous small widely distributed oscine birds (family Hirundinidae, the swallow family) that have a short bill, long pointed wings, and often a deeply forked tail and that feed on insects caught on the wing
2 : any of several birds that superficially resemble swallows

[swallow illustration]