Swell v. i. [imp. Swelled p. p. Swelled or Swollen p. pr. & vb. n. Swelling.]
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.
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.
3. To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.
4. To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride.
You swell at the tartan, as the bull is said to do at scarlet. --Sir W. Scott.
5. To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.
6. To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style.
7. To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle.
8. To be elated; to rise arrogantly.
Your equal mind yet swells not into state. --Dryden.
9. To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand. “Monarchs to behold the swelling scene!”
10. To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount.
11. To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big.
Here he comes, swelling like a turkey cock. --Shak.
swelled
adj : feeling self-importance; "too big for his britches"; "had a
swelled head"; "he was swelled with pride" [syn: big,
vainglorious]