SWELL

I. verb (~ed; ~ed or swollen; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ~an; akin to Old High German ~an to ~ Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit , to become distended or puffed up , to form a bulge or rounded elevation, 2. to become filled with pride and arrogance, to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important manner, to play the ~, to become distended with emotion, transitive verb to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion, to increase the size, number, or intensity of , see: expand II. noun Date: 1606 a long often massive and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing beyond or after its cause (as a gale), 2. the condition of being protuberant, a rounded elevation, 3. the act or process of ~ing, b. a gradual increase and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound, a device used in an organ for governing loudness, 4. an impressive, pompous, or fashionable air or display, a person dressed in the height of fashion, a person of high social position or outstanding competence, III. adjective Date: 1785 1. stylish , socially prominent, excellent