Swell to Swim
Swell
(Swell) v. i. [imp. Swelled ; p. p. Swelled or Swollen ; p. pr. & vb. n. Swelling.] [AS. swellan; akin
to D. zwellen, OS. & OHG. swellan, G. schwellen, Icel. svella, Sw. svälla.]
1. To grow larger; to dilate or extend the exterior surface or dimensions, by matter added within, or by
expansion of the inclosed substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy; a bruised part swells; a bladder swells
by inflation.
2. To increase in size or extent by any addition; to increase in volume or force; as, a river swells, and
overflows its banks; sounds swell or diminish.
3. To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.
4. To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride.
You swell at the tartan, as the bull is said to do at scarlet.
Sir W. Scott. 5. To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.
6. To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style.
7. To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle.
8. To be elated; to rise arrogantly.
Your equal mind yet swells not into state.
Dryden. 9. To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand. "Monarchs to behold the swelling scene!" Shak.
10. To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount.
11. To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big.
Here he comes, swelling like a turkey cock.
Shak. Swell
(Swell), v. t.
1. To increase the size, bulk, or dimensions of; to cause to rise, dilate, or increase; as, rains and dissolving
snow swell the rivers in spring; immigration swells the population.
[The Church] swells her high, heart-cheering tone.
Keble. 2. To aggravate; to heighten.
It is low ebb with his accuser when such peccadilloes are put to swell the charge.
Atterbury. 3. To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness.
4. (Mus.) To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note.
Swell
(Swell), n.
1. The act of swelling.
2. Gradual increase. Specifically: (a) Increase or augmentation in bulk; protuberance. (b) Increase in
height; elevation; rise.
Little River affords navigation during a swell to within three miles of the Miami.
Jefferson.
