swelling (ˈswɛlɪŋ
)
Definitions
noun
- the act of expansion or inflation
- the state of being or becoming swollen
- a swollen or inflated part or area
- an abnormal enlargement of a bodily structure or part, esp as the result of injury
related adjective
tumescent
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry=
enlargement,
lump,
puffiness,
bump,
blister,
bulge,
inflammation,
dilation,
protuberance,
distension,
tumescence,
swell (swɛl)
Definitions
verb
Word forms: swells, swelling, swelled, swollen, swelled
- to grow or cause to grow in size, esp as a result of internal pressure Compare contract (sense 1) , contract (sense 3)
- to expand or cause to expand at a particular point or above the surrounding level; protrude
- to grow or cause to grow in size, amount, intensity, or degree ⇒
the party is swelling with new recruits
- to puff or be puffed up with pride or another emotion
- (intr) (of seas or lakes) to rise in waves
- (intr) to well up or overflow
- (tr) to make (a musical phrase) increase gradually in volume and then diminish
noun
- the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea
- a succession of waves or a single large wave
- a swelling or being swollen; expansion
- an increase in quantity or degree; inflation
- a bulge; protuberance
- a gentle hill
- informal a person very fashionably dressed
- informal a man of high social or political standing
- music a crescendo followed by an immediate diminuendo
swell organ music- a set of pipes on an organ housed in a box (swell box) fitted with a shutter operated by a pedal, which can be opened or closed to control the volume
- the manual on an organ controlling this Compare choir (sense 4) , great (sense 21)
adjective
- informal stylish or grand
- slang excellent; first-class
Word Origin
Old English swellan; related to Old Norse svella, Old Frisian swella, German schwellenSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
expand,
increase,
grow,
rise,
extend,
balloon,
belly,
enlarge,
bulge,
protrude,
well up,
billow,
fatten,
dilate,
puff up,
round out,
be inflated become larger
distend,
bloat,
tumefy,
become bloated or distended
=
wonderful,
excellent,
superb,
marvellous,
topping,
sensational,
sovereign,
awesome,
first-rate,
brill,
out of this world
the dog's bollocks,
booshit,
exo,
sik,
rad,
phat,
schmick,
Usage examples
His mouth was dry and there was a swelling pain in his throat.
, The Broken God (1993)The only poisonous snake is the adder, and while its bites can cause painful swelling and fever, they are rarely fatal.
British Medical Journal (2002)Pippen, 37, has missed the last four games with swelling in his left knee.
Edmonton Sun (2003)Allergic reactions are rarer and more serious, causing swelling and pain.
Belfast Telegraph (2004)In one study carried out in Canada 10 women suffering severe breast pain and swelling were put on a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet.
, Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)