swell

Noun · Verb · Adjective
Synonyms: crestless wavedandydudefopgallantsheikbeaufashion plateclotheshorsepuff upswell upintumesce

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. the undulating movement of the surface of the open seaSynonyms: 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 appearanceSynonyms: dandydudefopgallantsheikbeaufashion plateclotheshorse

Verb (6)

  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”Synonyms: puff up
  3. expand abnormally“The bellies of the starving children are swelling”Synonyms: swell upintumescetumefytumesce
  4. come up (as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things)“Strong emotions welled up”“Smoke swelled from it”Synonyms: well up
  5. come up, as of a liquid“Tears well in her eyes”“the currents well up”Synonyms: well
  6. cause to become swollen“The water swells the wood”

Adjective (1)

  1. very good“he did a bully job”“a neat sports car”“had a great time at the party”“you look simply smashing”Synonyms: bang-upbullycorkingcrackingdandygreatgroovykeenneatniftynot bad(p)peachyslap-upsmashing
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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[aum]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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

3.To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves. [1913 Webster]

4.To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride. [1913 Webster]

You swell at the tartan, as the bull is said to do at scarlet.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]

5.To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell. [1913 Webster]

6.To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style. [1913 Webster]

7.To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle. [1913 Webster]

8.To be elated; to rise arrogantly. [1913 Webster]

Your equal mind yet swells not into state.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

9.To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand. "Monarchs to behold the swelling scene!" --Shak. [1913 Webster]

10.To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount. [1913 Webster]

11.To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big. [1913 Webster]

Here he comes, swelling like a turkey cock.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
Swell \Swell\, a. Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood. [Slang] [1913 Webster]

Swell mob. See under Mob. [Slang] [1913 Webster]

Swell \Swell\, n.

1.The act of swelling. [1913 Webster]

2.Gradual increase. Specifically: (a) Increase or augmentation in bulk; protuberance. (b) Increase in height; elevation; rise. [1913 Webster]

Little River affords navigation during a swell to within three miles of the Miami. --Jefferson. [1913 Webster] (c) Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound. [1913 Webster]
Music arose with its voluptuous swell. --Byron. [1913 Webster] (d) Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force. [1913 Webster]
The swell and subsidence of his periods.— Landor.[1913 Webster]

3.A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an extensive plain abounding with little swells. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

The swell Of the long waves that roll in yonder bay.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]
The gigantic swells and billows of the snow.— Hawthorne.[1913 Webster]

5.(Mus.) A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally indicated by the sign. [1913 Webster]

6.A showy, dashing person; a dandy. [Slang] [1913 Webster]

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 (Zool.), a small shark (Scyllium ventricosum) of the west coast of North America, which takes in air when caught, and swells up like a swellfish. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

[The Church] swells her high, heart-cheering tone.— Keble.[1913 Webster]

2.To aggravate; to heighten. [1913 Webster]

It is low ebb with his accuser when such peccadilloes are put to swell the charge.— Atterbury.[1913 Webster]

3.To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness. [1913 Webster]

4.(Mus.) To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note. [1913 Webster]

Advertisement