wal|low

wal|low «WOL oh», verb, noun.

–v.i.

1. to roll about; flounder: »

The pigs wallowed in the mud. The boat wallowed helplessly in the stormy sea.

2. Figurative. to live contentedly in filth, wickedness, or other dissolute way of life, like a beast.

3. Figurative. to live or delight self-indulgently or luxuriously in some form of pleasure, manner of life, attitude, or emotion: »

to wallow in wealth, wallow in sentimentality.

4. to billow up or surge out; gush (from): »

dense black smoke wallowing from the chimneys.

–n.

1. a) the act of wallowing: »

a wallow in the mud.

b) the condition of wallowing: »

Figurative. to sink into a hopeless wallow of despair.

2. a) a muddy or dusty place where an animal wallows: »

a hog wallow. There used to be many buffalo wallows on the prairies.

b) a depression or hollow in such a place, caused by wallowing.

╂[Old English wealwian to roll]

–wal´low|er, noun.