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# wallow

verb (wallow, wallows, wallowed, wallowing); noun (a wallow, wallows)

«wallow» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To roll about in mud or water, as pigs, hippos and buffalo do to cool down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#m1)
2. To let yourself stay sad or upset for a long time and enjoy feeling sorry for yourself. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#m2)
3. To enjoy something a lot, like wallowing in a hot bath. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#m3)
4. A muddy place where animals roll about. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science lessons, animals wallow in mud to keep cool and keep insects off. In stories and everyday life, «wallowing in self-pity» means staying miserable instead of trying to feel better. Phrases: wallow in mud, wallow in self-pity.

### Examples

- The pigs wallowed happily in the mud. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#x1)
- Hippos wallow in rivers on hot days. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#x2)
- Stop wallowing and come and play. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#x3)
- She wallowed in a warm bubble bath. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#x4)
- He wallowed in self-pity after losing the match. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#x5)
- The buffalo found a muddy wallow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#x6)
- The buffaloes generally keep to the pools and muddy places, where they lie wallowing or basking in the warm mud for hours. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/#x7)

### Note

Often followed by «in». Do not confuse with «swallow» (to take food down your throat) or «hollow» (empty inside).

## In Jewish tradition

It means to roll about, in blood, ashes or vomit. It is a picture of disgrace or deep sorrow.

**Interpretation.** Rolling in ashes was a custom of mourning, and the tradition reads it as grief and shame.

### Examples

- And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. (Prophets 2SA.20.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wallow/#x1)
- He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, He hath made me to wallow in ashes. (Writings LAM.3.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wallow/#x2)
- Make ye him drunken, for he magnified himself against the LORD; and Moab shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision. (Prophets JER.48.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wallow/#x3)

### Note

Often followed by «in». Do not confuse with «swallow» (to take food down your throat) or «hollow» (empty inside).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «wallow» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/wallow/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«wallow» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/wallow.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «wallow» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/wallow/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«wallow» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/wallow.html) on Mova free.