swell

a. Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood. [ Slang ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Swell mob. See under Mob. [ Slang ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. Swelled p. p. Swelled or Swollen p. pr. & vb. n. Swelling. ] [ AS. swellan; akin to D. zwellen, OS. & OHG. swellan, G. schwellen, Icel. svella, Sw. svälla. ] 1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride. [ 1913 Webster ]

You swell at the tartan, as the bull is said to do at scarlet. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. To be elated; to rise arrogantly. [ 1913 Webster ]

Your equal mind yet swells not into state. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand. “Monarchs to behold the swelling scene!” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount. [ 1913 Webster ]

11. To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big. [ 1913 Webster ]

Here he comes, swelling like a turkey cock. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ The Church ] swells her high, heart-cheering tone. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To aggravate; to heighten. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is low ebb with his accuser when such peccadilloes are put to swell the charge. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mus.) To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. People of rank and fashion; the class of swells, collectively. [ Jocose ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) Any plectognath fish that dilates itself, as the bur fish, puffer, or diodon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of that which swells; as, the swelling of rivers in spring; the swelling of the breast with pride. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rise to the swelling of the voiceless sea. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A protuberance; a prominence; especially (Med.), an unnatural prominence or protuberance; as, a scrofulous swelling. [ 1913 Webster ]

The superficies of such plates are not even, but have many cavities and swellings. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Dandified; stylish. [ Slang ] [ 1913 Webster ]