Main Entry: ¹swell

Pronunciation: \ˈswel\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): swelled; swelled or swol·len \ˈswō-lən\; swell·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English swellan; akin to Old High German swellan to swell

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit <the population swelled> b : to become distended or puffed up <her ankle is badly swollen> c : to form a bulge or rounded elevation
2 a : to become filled with pride and arrogance b : to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important manner c : to play the swell
3 : to become distended with emotiontransitive verb 1 : to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion
2 : to increase the size, number, or intensity of <swell the applicant pool>

synonyms see expand