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 verb1 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 elevation2 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 swell3: to become distended with emotiontransitive verb1: to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion2: to increase the size, number, or intensity of <swell the applicant pool>

synonyms see expand

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