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Swallowed: meaning, definitions and examples

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swallowed

 

[ˈswɒl.oʊd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

past tense

Swallowed is the past tense of the verb swallow, which means to cause something, typically food or drink, to pass down the throat. When someone swallows, they take in substances from the mouth, pushing them through the esophagus and into the stomach. This process is an essential part of digestion and can involve various reflex actions in the throat. It is often connected to eating, drinking, or even certain emotions where people might swallow hard, such as when they are nervous.

Synonyms

consumed, devoured, ingested.

Examples of usage

  • He swallowed his food hastily.
  • She swallowed her pride to ask for help.
  • After he swallowed the pills, he felt better.
  • The fish swallowed the bait quickly.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'swelgan', meaning 'to engulf' or 'to devour'.
  • It has roots in the Proto-Germanic *swelgana, which is also the source for similar words in other Germanic languages.

Biology

  • Swallowing involves coordinated muscle movements in the throat and esophagus.
  • The human throat can swallow food that is larger than the opening by using a reflex action.
  • Certain textures of food can make swallowing easier or harder, depending on their size and consistency.

Psychology

  • The act of swallowing can be influenced by emotional states; stress may make it harder to swallow.
  • Some people experience a fear of swallowing, known as 'phagophobia', reflecting anxiety around eating or choking.

Culture

  • In many cultures, the ritual of sharing food often involves swallowing food together, symbolizing unity and community.
  • Metaphorically, 'swallowing' can refer to accepting difficult truths or situations, as in 'swallowing your pride'.

Literature

  • In various literary works, swallowing has been used as a metaphor for the acceptance of knowledge or experience, as in 'swallowing a hard truth'.
  • Poets often describe the act of swallowing to convey deep emotional moments, revealing vulnerability or strength.

Translations

Translations of the word "swallowed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 engolido

🇮🇳 गुल्लक

🇩🇪 geschluckt

🇮🇩 ditelan

🇺🇦 проковтнутий

🇵🇱 połknięty

🇯🇵 飲み込まれた

🇫🇷 avalé

🇪🇸 tragado

🇹🇷 yutulmuş

🇰🇷 삼킨

🇸🇦 مبتلع

🇨🇿 polknutý

🇸🇰 prehltaný

🇨🇳 吞下

🇸🇮 pogoltnjen

🇮🇸 soginn

🇰🇿 жұтылған

🇬🇪 გადაყლაპული

🇦🇿 udulmuş

🇲🇽 tragado

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,226 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.