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Entry 24 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Swell

/swĕl/ · IPA /swɛl/
01 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; …
imp. Swelled; p. p. Swelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Swelling
  1. 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. 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. 3.
    To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.
  4. 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. 5.
    To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.
  6. 6.
    To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style.
  7. 7.
    To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle.
  8. 8.
    To be elated; to rise arrogantly.
    “Your equal mind yet swells not into state.” — Dryden.
  9. 9.
    To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand.
  10. 10.
    To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount.
  11. 11.
    To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big.
    “Here he comes, swelling like a turkey cock.” — Shak.
02 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 spri…
  1. 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. 2.
    To aggravate; to heighten.
    “It is low ebb with his accuser when such peccadilloes are put to swell the charge.” — Atterbury.
  3. 3.
    To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness.
  4. 4.
    To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note.(Mus.)
03 n. The act of swelling.
  1. 1.
    The act of swelling.
  2. 2.
    Gradual increase.
    “Little River affords navigation during a swell to within three miles of the Miami.” — Jefferson.
  3. 3.
    Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound.
    “Music arose with its voluptuous swell.” — Byron.
  4. 4.
    Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force.
    “The swell and subsidence of his periods.” — Landor.
  5. 5.
    A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an extensive plain abounding with little swells.
  6. 6.
    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.
  7. 7.
    A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally indicated by the sign.(Mus.)
  8. 8.
    A showy, dashing person; a dandy.[Slang]
Phrases & compounds
Ground swell — See under Ground.
Organ swell — a certain number of pipes inclosed in a box, the uncovering of which by means of a pedal produces increased sound.
Swell shark — a small shark (Scyllium ventricosum) of the west coast of North America, which takes in air when caught, and swells up like a swellfish.
04 a. Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood.
  1. 1.
    Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood.[Slang]
Phrases & compounds
Swell mob — See under Mob.