swell

1. v. i. 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. Source: opted

2. v. i. 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. Source: opted

3. v. i. To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves. Source: opted

4. v. i. To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride. Source: opted

5. v. i. To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell. Source: opted

6. v. i. To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style. Source: opted

7. v. i. To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle. Source: opted

8. v. i. To be elated; to rise arrogantly. Source: opted

9. v. i. To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand. Source: opted

10. v. i. To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount. Source: opted

11. v. i. To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big. Source: opted

12. v. t. 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. Source: opted

13. v. t. To aggravate; to heighten. Source: opted

14. v. t. To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness. Source: opted

15. v. t. To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note. Source: opted

16. n. The act of swelling. Source: opted

17. n. Gradual increase. Source: opted

18. n. Increase or augmentation in bulk; protuberance. Source: opted

19. n. Increase in height; elevation; rise. Source: opted

20. n. Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound. Source: opted

21. n. Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force. Source: opted

22. n. A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an extensive plain abounding with little swells. Source: opted

23. n. A wave, or billow; especially, a succession of large waves; the roll of the sea after a storm; as, a heavy swell sets into the harbor. Source: opted

24. n. A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally indicated by the sign. Source: opted

25. n. A showy, dashing person; a dandy. Source: opted

26. a. Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood. Source: opted

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