swell

Definitions


[swɛl], (Verb)

Definitions:
- (especially of a part of the body) become larger or rounder in size, typically as a result of an accumulation of fluid
(e.g: her bruised knee was already swelling up)

- become or make greater in intensity, number, amount, or volume
(e.g: the low murmur swelled to a roar)


Phrases:
- one's head swells

Origin:
Old English swellan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German schwellen. Current senses of the noun date from the early 16th century; the informal adjectival use derives from noun swell (late 18th century)


[swɛl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a full or gently rounded shape or form
(e.g: the soft swell of her breast)

- a gradual increase in amount, intensity, or volume
(e.g: a huge swell in the popularity of one-day cricket)

- a slow, regular movement of the sea in rolling waves that do not break
(e.g: there was a heavy swell)

- a mechanism for producing a crescendo or diminuendo in an organ or harmonium

- a fashionable or stylish person of wealth or high social position
(e.g: a crowd of city swells)


Phrases:
- one's head swells

Origin:
Old English swellan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German schwellen. Current senses of the noun date from the early 16th century; the informal adjectival use derives from noun swell (late 18th century)


[swɛl], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- excellent; very good
(e.g: you're looking swell)


Phrases:
- one's head swells

Origin:
Old English swellan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German schwellen. Current senses of the noun date from the early 16th century; the informal adjectival use derives from noun swell (late 18th century)


[swɛl], (Adverb)

Definitions:
- excellently; very well
(e.g: everything was just going swell)


Phrases:
- one's head swells

Origin:
Old English swellan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German schwellen. Current senses of the noun date from the early 16th century; the informal adjectival use derives from noun swell (late 18th century)




definition by Oxford Dictionaries