[swim] vb swam ; swum ; swim.ming [ME swimmen, fr. OE swimman; akin to OHG swimman to swim] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to propel oneself in water by natural means (as movements of the limbs, fins, or tail) b: to play in the water (as at a beach or swimming pool)
2: to move with a motion like that of swimming: glide "a cloud swam slowly across the moon" 3 a: to float on a liquid: not sink b: to surmount difficulties: not go under "sink or ~, live or die, survive or perish --Daniel Webster"
4: to become immersed in or flooded with or as if with a liquid "potatoes swimming in gravy"
5: to have a floating or reeling appearance or sensation ~ vt 1 a: to cross by propelling oneself through water "~ a stream" b: to execute in swimming
2: to cause to swim or float -- swim.mer n
[2]swim n (1599) 1: a smooth gliding motion
2: an act or period of swimming
3: a temporary dizziness or unconsciousness
4. a: an area frequented by fish b: the main current of activity "in the ~" [3]swim adj (1924): of, relating to, or used in or for swimming "a ~ meet"