ˈswallow-hole
[f. swallow v. or n.2 + hole n.]
= swallow n.2 1 b.
| 1661 J. Childrey Brit. Baconica 74 About Badminton also are several holes (called Swallow-holes) where the Waters..fall into the bowels of the earth, and are seen no more. 1829 Glover's Hist. Derby I. 11 The channel of the Manifold river is here dry in dry seasons, owing to the vast swallow-holes at Darfa cliff. 1839 Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl. II. 151/2 These rivulets pour down the hill upon the surface of the tertiary clay, until they arrive at the chalk, where they are entirely absorbed in swallow-holes. 1891 Leeds Mercury 5 Nov. 3/6 Shafts being made into it, by which the water absorbed by conites, fissures and ‘swallow holes’, would be rendered available. |