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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (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.
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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.
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3. To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as,
in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.
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4. To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride.
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You swell at the tartan, as the bull is said to do
at scarlet. --Sir W.
Scott.
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5. To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.
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6. To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling
words; a swelling style.
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7. To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the
middle.
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8. To be elated; to rise arrogantly.
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Your equal mind yet swells not into state. --Dryden.
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9. To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand.
"Monarchs to behold the swelling scene!" --Shak.
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10. To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added,
swell to a great amount.
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11. To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to
strut; to look big.
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Here he comes, swelling like a turkey cock. --Shak.
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Swell \Swell\, a.
Having the characteristics of a person of rank and
importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell
person; a swell neighborhood. [Slang]
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{Swell mob}. See under {Mob}. [Slang]
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Swell \Swell\, n.
1. The act of swelling.
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2. Gradual increase. Specifically:
(a) Increase or augmentation in bulk; protuberance.
(b) Increase in height; elevation; rise.
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Little River affords navigation during a swell
to within three miles of the Miami. --Jefferson.
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(c) Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound.
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Music arose with its voluptuous swell. --Byron.
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(d) Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force.
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The swell and subsidence of his periods.
--Landor.
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3. A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an
extensive plain abounding with little swells.
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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.
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The swell
Of the long waves that roll in yonder bay.
--Tennyson.
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The gigantic swells and billows of the snow.
--Hawthorne.
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5. (Mus.) A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of
sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally
indicated by the sign.
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6. A showy, dashing person; a dandy. [Slang]
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{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.
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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.
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[The Church] swells her high, heart-cheering tone.
--Keble.
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2. To aggravate; to heighten.
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It is low ebb with his accuser when such
peccadilloes are put to swell the charge.
--Atterbury.
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3. To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be
swelled with pride or haughtiness.
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4. (Mus.) To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the
sound of a note.
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