swell

swell [swel]

vi.

swelled, swelled or swollen, swelling [ME swellen < OE swellan; akin to Ger schwellen, ON svella]

1. to increase in volume or become larger as a result of pressure from within; expand; dilate

2. to become larger at a particular point; curve out; bulge; protrude

3. to extend beyond or above the normal or surrounding level

4. to form swells, or large waves: said of the sea

5. to be or become filled (with pride, indignation, self-importance, etc.)

6. to increase within a person, as a feeling [the anger swelling in him]

7. to increase in size, force, intensity, degree, etc. [membership swelled to a thousand]

8. to increase in volume or loudness

vt.

to cause to swell; specif.,

a) to cause to increase in size, volume, extent, degree, etc.

b) to cause to bulge or protrude

c) to fill with pride, indignation, etc.; inflate; puff

d) to cause (a tone, chord, etc.) to increase in loudness

n.

1. a part that swells, bulge; curve; protuberance; specif.,

a) a large wave that moves steadily without breaking

b) a piece of rising ground; rounded hill or slope

2. a swelling or being swollen

3. an increase in size, amount, extent, degree, etc.

4. Informal

a) a person who is strikingly stylish, esp. in dress

b) a person of social prominence

5. an increase in loudness of sound

6. Music

a) a gradual increase in volume (crescendo), usually followed by a gradual decrease ( decrescendo)

b) a sign (< >) indicating this

c) a device for controlling the loudness of tones, as in an organ

adj.

[ME swelle, tumid, proud]

1. Informal stylish; very fashionable

2. Slang first-rate; excellent: a generalized epithet of approval

SYN.- EXPAND