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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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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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To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as,
in tempest, the ocean swells into waves. |
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To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride. |
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To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell. |
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To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling
words; a swelling style. |
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To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the
middle. |
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To be elated; to rise arrogantly. |
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To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand. |
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To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added,
swell to a great amount. |
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To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to
strut; to look big. |
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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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To aggravate; to heighten. |
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To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be
swelled with pride or haughtiness. |
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To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound
of a note. |
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The act of swelling. |
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Gradual increase. |
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Increase or augmentation in bulk; protuberance. |
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Increase in height; elevation; rise. |
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Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound. |
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Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force. |
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A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an
extensive plain abounding with little swells. |
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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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A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the
crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally indicated by the sign. |
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A showy, dashing person; a dandy. |
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Having the characteristics of a person of rank and
importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a
swell neighborhood. |