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