Dictionary
swell
Pronunciation: (swel), [key]
—v., swelled, swol•len or swelled, swell•ing,
—n., adj.
—
v.i.
1. to grow in bulk, as by the absorption of moisture or the processes of growth.
2. Path.to increase abnormally in size, as by inflation, distention, accumulation of fluids, or the like:
Her ankles swelled from standing.
3. to rise in waves, as the sea.
4. to well up, as a spring or as tears.
5. to bulge out, as a sail or the middle of a cask.
6. to grow in amount, degree, force, etc.
7. to increase gradually in volume or intensity, as sound:
The music swelled.
8. to arise and grow within one, as a feeling or emotion.
9. to become puffed up with pride.
—
v.t.
1. to cause to grow in bulk.
2. to cause to increase gradually in loudness:
to swell a musical tone.
3. to cause (a thing) to bulge out or be protuberant.
4. to increase in amount, degree, force, etc.
5. to affect with a strong, expansive emotion.
6. to puff up with pride.
—
n.
1. the act of swelling or the condition of being swollen.
2. inflation or distention.
3. a protuberant part.
4. a wave, esp. when long and unbroken, or a series of such waves.
5. a gradually rising elevation of the land.
6. an increase in amount, degree, force, etc.
7. a gradual increase in loudness of sound.
8. Music.
a. a gradual increase (crescendo) followed by a gradual decrease (diminuendo) in loudness or force of musical sound.
b. the sign (< >) for indicating this.
c. a device, as in an organ, by which the loudness of tones may be varied.
9. a swelling of emotion within one.
10. Slang.
a. a fashionably dressed person; dandy.
b. a socially prominent person.
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adj. Informal.
1. (of things) stylish; elegant:
a swell hotel.
2. (of persons) fashionably dressed or socially prominent.
3. first-rate; fine:
a swell party. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
