browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
swell |
5 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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 sv["a]lla.] 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. c Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound. Music arose with its voluptuous swell. --Byron. d Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force. The swell and subsidence of his periods. --Landor. 3. A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as an extensive plain abounding with little swells. 4. 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. The swell Of the long waves that roll in yonder bay. --Tennyson. The gigantic swells and billows of the snow. --Hawthorne. 5. (Mus.) A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally indicated by the sign. 6. A showy, dashing person; a dandy. [Slang] {Ground swell}. See under {Ground}. {Organ swell} (Mus.), a certain number of pipes inclosed in a box, the uncovering of which by means of a pedal produces increased sound. {Swell shark} (Zo["o]l.), a small shark ({Scyllium ventricosum}) of the west coast of North America, which takes in air when caught, and swells up like a swellfish. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Swell \Swell\, a. Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as a swell person; a swell neighborhood. [Slang] {Swell mob}. See under {Mob}. [Slang] From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: swell adj : (informal) very good; "a bully pulpit"; "a cool sports car"; "had a great time at the party"; "you look simply smashing" [syn: {bang-up}, {bully}, {cool}, {corking}, {cracking}, {dandy}, {great}, {groovy}, {keen}, {neat}, {nifty}, {not bad(p)}, {peachy}, {slap-up}, {smashing}] n 1: the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea [syn: {crestless wave}] 2: a rounded elevation (especially one on an ocean floor) 3: a crescendo followed by a decrescendo 4: a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance [syn: {dandy}, {dude}, {fop}, {gallant}, {sheik}, {beau}, {fashion plate}, {clotheshorse}] v 1: increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity; "The music swelled to a crescendo" 2: become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger; "The mother was swelling with importance when she spoke of her son" [syn: {puff up}] 3: expand abnormally; "The bellies of the starving children are swelling" [syn: {swell up}, {distend}] 4: as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things "Strong emotions welled up"; "Smoke swelled from it" [syn: {well up}] 5: come up as of liquids: "Tears well in her eyes" [syn: {well}] 6: cause to become swollen; "The water swells the wood"
more about swell
This work is licensed under a
