n.
Pronunciation: ' swel
Function: verb
Inflected Form: swelled ; swelled or swol · len \ ' sw ō -l ə n \ ; swell · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English swellan; akin to Old High German swellan to swell
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 a : to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit <the population swell ed > b : to become distended or puffed up <her ankle is badly swollen > c : to form a bulge or rounded elevation
2 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 swell
3 : to become distended with emotion
transitive verb
1 : to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion
2 : to increase the size, number, or intensity of < swell the applicant pool>
synonyms see EXPAND