Swell Definition
swĕl
swelled, swellest, swelling, swells, swollen
verb
swelled, swelling, swells, swollen
To increase in volume or become larger as a result of pressure from within; expand; dilate.
Webster's New World
To become larger at a particular point; curve out; bulge; protrude; specif., to become distended from an abnormal accumulation of fluid in bodily tissue, as from infection or injury.
Webster's New World
To cause to swell.
Webster's New World
To form swells, or large waves.
Webster's New World
To extend beyond or above the normal or surrounding level.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
noun
swells
The act or process of swelling.
American Heritage
A part that swells, bulge; curve; protuberance.
Webster's New World
A swelling or being swollen.
Webster's New World
An increase in size, amount, extent, degree, etc.
Webster's New World
A long wave on water that moves continuously without breaking.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
adjective
swellest
Stylish; very fashionable.
Webster's New World
First-rate; excellent.
Webster's New World
(informal, now somewhat dated or ironic) Excellent.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Other Word Forms of Swell
Noun
Singular:
swell
Plural:
swellsOrigin of Swell
-
From Middle English swellen, from Old English swellan (“to swell"), from Proto-Germanic *swellanÄ… (“to swell"), of unknown origin. Cognate with Old Frisian swella, Low German swellen, Dutch zwellen (“to swell"), German schwellen (“to swell"), Swedish svälla (“to swell"), Icelandic svella.
From Wiktionary
Middle English swellen from Old English swellan
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From the above verb.
From Wiktionary
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