Part 1044

Ground swell. See under Ground. - - Organ swell (Mus.), a certain number of pipes inclosed in a box, the uncovering of which by means of a pedal produces increased sound. -- Swell shark (Zoöl.), a small shark (Scyllium ventricosum) of the west coast of North America, which takes in air when caught, and swells up like a swellfish.

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

Swell mob. See under Mob. [Slang]

Swell"dom (?), n. People of rank and fashion; the class of swells, collectively. [Jocose]

Swell"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any plectognath fish that dilates itself, as the bur fish, puffer, or diodon.

Swell"ing, n. 1. The act of that which swells; as, the swelling of rivers in spring; the swelling of the breast with pride.

Rise to the swelling of the voiceless sea.

Coleridge.

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

The superficies of such plates are not even, but have many cavities and swellings.

Sir I. Newton.

Swell"ish, a. Dandified; stylish. [Slang]

Swell"toad` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A swellfish.

Swelt (?), obs. imp. of Swell.

Swelt, v. i. [OE. swelten to die, to swoon or faint, AS. sweltan to die; akin to OD. swelten to hunger, to fail, OS. sweltan to die, Icel. svelta to die, to hunger, Sw. svälta to hunger, Dan. sulte, Goth. sviltan to die. Cf. Swelter, Sweltry.] 1. To die; to perish. [Obs.]

2. To faint; to swoon. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Night she swelt for passing joy.

Spenser.

Swelt, v. t. To overpower, as with heat; to cause to faint; to swelter. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Bp. Hall.

Swel"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sweltered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sweltering.] [From Swelt, v. i.] 1. To be overcome and faint with heat; to be ready to perish with heat. "Sweltered cattle." Coleridge.

2. To welter; to soak. [Obs.] Drayton.

Swel"ter, v. t. 1. To oppress with heat. Bentley.

2. To exude, like sweat. [R.] Shak.

Swel"try (?), a. [See Swelter, Swelt, v. i., and cf. Sultry.] Suffocating with heat; oppressively hot; sultry. [R.] Evelyn.

Swel"ve (?), v. t. To swallow. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Swept (?), imp. & p. p. of Sweep.

Swerd (?), n. & v. See Sward, n. & v. [Obs.]

Swerd, n. Sword. [Obs.] Chaucer.