▪ I. swelling, vbl. n.
(ˈswɛlɪŋ)
[f. swell v. + -ing1. In OE. swelling (once); cf. MLG. swillinge, MDu., MHG. swellinge.]
1. The process of becoming, or condition of having become, larger in bulk, as by internal pressure; distension, dilatation, expansion.
| 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. i. (1586) 39 The waxing yellowe, and swelling of the knoppes that holde the seede. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. (1613) 145 They shew the swellings of their mind, in the swellings and plumpings out of their apparrayle. 1688 Holme Armoury iii. 259/2 Swelling, is to give it [sc. the metal] its shape, and make it proportionable. 1780 Sir J. Reynolds Disc. x. (1876) 10 There is given to Hercules an extraordinary swelling and strength of muscles. 1842 Loudon Suburban Hort. 32 The swelling of the buds, and the expansion of the leaves. 1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs' Bot. iii. iv. 697 These organised bodies are..all capable of swelling; i.e. they have the power of absorbing water or aqueous solutions between their solid particles with such force that the particles are forced apart. |
b. concr. A swollen, distended, or protuberant part of something; a protuberance, prominence; † a swell of ground.
In OE. applied to a bellying sail.
| a 900 Cynewulf Elene 245 (Gr.) Þær meahte ᵹesion, se ðone sið beheold, brecan ofer bæðweᵹ, brimwudu snyrᵹan under swellingum. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 732 The fleshy swellings which the Chyromanticks call hyllockes or Monticles do make the brawne or pulpe of the hand. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 43 Mountaines be naturall swellings of the earth, above the usuall levell or surface of it. a 1634 Chapman & Shirley Chabot ii. iii. 139 He..cannot..stand at all parts So truly circular, so sound, and solid, But have his swellings-out, his cracks and crannies. 1679 [see swell v. 1 c]. a 1700 Evelyn Diary 10 Sept. 1677, Euston..is seated in a bottome between two gracefull swellings. 1789 J. Williams Min. Kingd. II. 368 Some of the bellies, pipes, or swellings of the veins. 1834–5 J. Phillips Geol. in Encycl. Metrop. VI. 702/2 The little pillars [sc. of the bridge over the Wear] are worked with various swellings and mouldings. 1847 W. C. L. Martin Ox 15/1 The convexity and bold swellings of the forehead. 1883 M. P. Bale Saw-Mills 337 Swelling, an excrescence upon the exterior of a tree. 1885 C. G. W. Lock Workshop Receipts Ser. iv. 232/2 Too thick a thread will make the ‘swelling’ (the rising caused in the back by the thread) too much. |
2. spec. Abnormal or morbid distension or enlargement of some bodily part or member.
Also in Path. with defining words, as cloudy swelling, a form of albuminous degeneration of various tissues (Billings); glassy swelling, amyloid degeneration (Dorland); white swelling, a form of swelling without redness, spec. (a) a tuberculous arthritis; strumous synovitis of a joint; (b) phlegmasia alba dolens (see phlegmasia), milk-leg, white-leg.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 122 May no sugre ne swete þynge asswage my swellynge. 1382 Wyclif Acts xxviii. 6 Thei gessiden him to be turned into swellinge, and sudenly to fallinge, and for to deie. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. xxviii. (Bodl. MS.), Fulnes blaynes and bladdres swellinges. 14.. Langland's P. Pl. A. vii. 204 (MS. U.) For swellynge of heore wombes. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 52 If ratling or swelling get once to the throte, Thou loosest thy porkling. 1592 Kyd Murther I. Brewen Wks. (1901) 289 A strong deadly poyson whose working was to make speedy haste to the heart, without any swelling of the body, or other signe of outward confection. a 1604 Hanmer Chron. Irel. (1809) 156 Her shinne, her knee, and her thigh,..and some parts above, tooke swelling. 1702 J. Purcell Cholick (1714) 15 There is no Swelling, neither does any Pain follow from thence. 1704 Dict. Rust. (1726), Swelling, a disease which Goats are apt to be troubled with, after they have brought forth their Young. 1803 Med. Jrnl. IX. 374 The remedies for white swelling. 1872 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. (1884) I. 69 When a visible part is inflamed, there are four notable phenomena to be observed, namely:—redness, heat, pain, and swelling. |
b. concr. An abnormal or morbid enlargement in or upon any part or member; a tumour.
| 1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII, c. 8 §3 Any..outwarde swelling or disease. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iii. (1586) 143 The swelling betwixt the two Clewes must be cut. 1650 W. D. tr. Comenius' Gate Lat. Unl. §307 A swelling riseth (swelleth up) and falleth again. 1704 Dict. Rust. (1726) s.v. Swelled, Swellings or Tumours in Horses, come by Heats, by hard Riding or by sore Labour. c 1720 De Foe Mem. Cavalier i. 28 The Swelling broke. 1789 W. Buchan Dom. Med. (1790) 399 The white swellings of the joints. 1808 Scott in Lockhart Life (1839) I. i. 13 The slightest cold occasioned swellings in her face. 1835 Cycl. Pract. Med. II. 738/1 The swelling may be fixed or moveable. |
3. The rising of water above its ordinary level (as of a river in flood); the swell (of the sea); the rise (of the tide); the welling up (of a spring). Obs. or arch.
| 1557 Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 190 Hie springes may cease from swellyng styll, but neuer dry away. 1560 Bible (Genev.) Jer. xii. 5 What wilt thou do in the swelling of Iorden? 1601 Holland Pliny iii. v. I. 58 He [sc. the Tiber] hath many and those suddaine swellings. 1754 Fielding Voy. Lisbon Wks. 1882 VII. 112 My whole comfort was to find, by the captain's relation, that the swelling was sometimes much worse. 1764 J. Ferguson Lect. ii. 27 The swelling of the tide..occasioned by the influence of the moon. |
b. concr. A swelling wave, tide, or flood. Obs. or arch.
| 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VIII. 231 Þe swellynge of þe see as mylk we schal souke. 1560 Bible (Genev.) Jer. xlix. 19 He shal come vp like a lyon from the swelling of Iorden. 1676 Otway Don Carlos iii. i, Rock'd on the Swellings of the floating Tide. 1697 Dryden æneid viii. 120 He rowld his River back; and pois'd he stood; A gentle Swelling, and a peaceful Flood. 1781 Cowper Retirem. 527 He swathes about the swelling of the deep. 1905 J. B. Bury Life St. Patrick vii. 134 He first crossed over a river-swelling, and then found a second swelling in front of him. |
4. Of sound: see swell v. 6; cf. swell n. 5.
| 1818 Keats Endym. i. 117 A faint breath of music..Within a little space again it gave Its airy swellings, with a gentle wave. |
5. fig. Inflation by pride, vanity, etc.; proud, haughty, or indignant feeling; also, proud or arrogant behaviour or talk, swagger. Obs. or arch.
| c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶324 Swellynge of herte is whan a man reioyseth hym of harm that he hath doon. c 1410 Lanterne of Liȝt iii. 6 Euery proud soule þat risiþ in swelling aȝens his God. c 1425 Cursor M. 12083 (Trin.) Þourȝe swellyng of his herte To Ioseph spake he wordis smerte. 1535 Coverdale 2 Cor. xii. 20, I feare..lest there be among you, debates, envyenges, wrathes, stryuynges, bacbytinges, whysperinges, swellinges, vproures. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. Wks. 1904 II. 83 From the rich to the poore (in euery street in London) there is ambition, or swelling aboue theyr states. 1625 Bacon Ess., Truth (Arb.) 501 So alwaies, that this prospect, be with Pitty, and not with Swelling, or Pride. a 1639 Wotton Portraict. Chas. I in Reliq. (1685) 156 In your aspect no swelling, nothing boysterous. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 40 ¶5 Their Swelling and Blustring upon the Stage very much recommends them to the fair Part of their Audience. 1756 Burke Subl. & Beaut. i. xvii, A sort of swelling and triumph, that is extemely grateful to the human mind. 1825 Scott Talism. xxv, Thus the proud swelling of his heart further suggested. |
6. The rising of emotion.
| 1709 Tatler No. 114 ¶1 My heart was torn in pieces to see the Husband..suppressing and keeping down the swellings of his grief. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 29 ¶9 To repress the swellings of vain hope. |
▪ II. ˈswelling, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That swells, in various senses.
1. Increasing in bulk, as by absorption or inflation; becoming distended or filled out; bellying, as a sail; undergoing morbid enlargement, breaking out as a tumour.
| c 1000 ælfric Exod. ix. 9 Swellende blæddran. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 6 Wiþ ælcre yfelre swellendre wætan. 1382 Wyclif Exod. ix. 10 Woundes of the swellynge bleynes. a 1591 H. Smith Wks. (1867) II. 397 Botches and swelling sores. c 1591 Roydon Elegy for Astrophel i, No swelling clouds accloyed the air. 1697 Dryden Virg. Past. iii. 129 The Show'rs are grateful to the swelling Grain. ― Georg. i. 269 The hissing Serpent, and the swelling Toad. ― æneid iii. 692 Breath on our swelling Sails a prosp'rous Wind. a 1721 Prior Past. Dial. 5 Young tender Plants and swelling buds appear. 1859 Habits Gd. Society ii. (new ed.) 121 Swelling glands are prevented. 1877 Raymond Statist. Mines & Mining 156 The swelling ground crushes in the timbers. |
b. causatively. Producing distension. rare.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. vii. viii. (Bodl. MS.) lf. 50/2 He schalle spare swelling metes and greete [orig. ab inflatiuis cibis]. |
2. Having the form of something distended; protuberant, bulging; rising evenly and smoothly above the general surface, as a hill or piece of ground.
| 1544 N. Country Wills (Surtees 1908) 194 An olde gowne with a swelling welte faced with blacke budge. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia iii. xvi. (1912) 447 Her roundy sweetly swelling lippes a little trembling. 1607 Milton P.L. iv. 495 Half her swelling Breast Naked met his. 1697 Dryden æneid v. 15 A swelling Cloud hung hov'ring o're their Head. 1728 R. Morris Ess. Anc. Archit. 43 There is less Substance in the streight Column..than there is in that which is swelling. 1794 Coleridge Fears in Solit. 4 The hills are heathy, save that swelling slope. 1839 Murchison Silur. Syst. i. xxvi. 331 The hard volcanic grit wraps round the swelling concretionary masses of this trap. 1872 Jenkinson Engl. Lake Distr. (1879) 287 The great swelling masses of Whiteside and Grasmoor are directly opposite. |
3. Rising in waves, or as a wave; rising in level, becoming fuller, as a river or the tide. Chiefly poet.
| 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 39 Throcht virkyng of the suelland vallis of the brym seye. 1582 Stanyhurst æneis i. (Arb.) 19 This Queene..Doune swasht theyre nauy, thee swelling surges vp-haling. 1585 Jas. I Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 72 Ilk saile Of dyuers ships vpon the swolling wawes. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 241 Rivers, swelling Brookes, and rils of ever-living fountaines. 1633 P. Fletcher Pisc. Ecl. vii. xix, The earth her robe, the sea her swelling tide. 1745 P. Thomas Jrnl. Anson's Voy. 53 We had a great swelling Sea. 1746 Collins Ode to Evening ix, Be mine the hut That from the mountain's side Views wilds and swelling floods. |
b. transf. Becoming full to overflowing, as the eyes with tears; said also of the tears.
| 1593 Shakes. Lucr. 1228 The maid with swelling drops gan wet Her circled eien. 1596 ― 1 Hen. IV, iii. i. 202 That pretty Welsh Which thou powr'st down from these swelling Heauens. 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) III. 103 Taking out her handkerchief, she wiped away a swelling tear. Ibid. 141 With..trembling lips, and swelling eyes. |
4. Becoming greater in amount, increasing, growing; loosely, great in amount, full, abundant. rare.
| 1628 Feltham Resolves ii. [i.] i. 1 Hee carelesly waues himselfe in the swelling plenty. 1829 Scott Anne of G. xxvii, To supply the public wants from their own swelling hoards! 1854 Poultry Chron. I. 61/2 Witness our weekly swelling list of promised exhibitions. |
b. Of a receptacle: see swell v. 4 b. poet.
| 1908 Blackw. Mag. Oct. 538 There easier toil Brings to the swelling bin a more abundant spoil. |
5. Of sound: Gradually increasing in force or volume; becoming louder and fuller.
| 1753 Hogarth Anal. Beauty xii. 97 As the gradating shade pleases the eye, so the increasing, or swelling note, delights the ear. 1797 Mrs. Radcliffe Italian xxii, Hearing at intervals swelling though feeble groans. 1810 Scott Lady of L. i. x, The dingle's hollow throat Prolong'd the swelling bugle-note. |
† b. swelling organ, an earlier name for the swell organ (see swell n. 6). Obs.
| 1712 in Grove Dict. Mus. (1889) IV. 8 [The first attempt at a] swelling organ [was made by Jordan in 1712]. 1837 Stranger's Guide York (ed. 6) 77 There are..9 [stops] to the choir organ, 12 to the swelling organ. |
6. fig. Of a feeling or emotion (usually pleasurable): Arising and growing in the mind with expansive force; causing the heart to ‘swell’ with emotion.
| 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, iv. viii. 42 My mildnesse hath allay'd their swelling griefes. 1697 Collier Ess. Mor. Subj. ii. (1703) 64 A swelling discontent is apt to suffocate and strangle, without passage. 1700 Prior Carmen Seculare iii, They scarce Their swelling Thirst of Fame could hide. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xii. x, The warm, solid content, the swelling satisfaction, the thrilling transports. 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) IV. 82 He..hid the tears of his swelling delight. |
7. Inflated, or showing inflation, with pride or the like; proud, haughty; arrogant, puffed up. a. Of the heart, mind, etc.; † rarely of the person.
| a 1586 Sidney Ps. xvii. viii, Cruell wordes their swelling tongues do chatt. 1604 Shakes. Oth. ii. iii. 57 Three else of Cyprus, Noble swelling Spirites... Haue I to night fluster'd with flowing cups. 1630 tr. Camden's Hist. Eliz. i. 91 She, to restraine the young Kings swelling minde,..had begun to set her husbands name after her owne in the publicke Acts. 1702 Rowe Tamerl. i. ii. 684 While th' avenging hand of Heav'n is on thee And presses to the Dust thy swelling Soul. 1735 Johnson Lobo's Abyssinia, Descr. x. 106 The ridiculous Speculations of those swelling Philosophers, whose Arrogance would prescribe Laws to Nature. 1846 A. Marsh Father Darcy II. xi. 201 ‘Insulting!’ said the proudly swelling heart. |
b. Of the feeling or mental state; † also of speech (obs.).
| 1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Fam. Love 6 b, His swellyng wordes of vanitie. 1590 Nashe Pasquil's Apol. i. Wks. 1904 I. 114 Thys swelling and sawcie humour..against her Maiesties right honourable priuie Counsell. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 108 Possessed they were with swelling pride. 1680 Roscommon Horace's Art of Poetry Poet. Wks. (1749) 155 Peleus and Telephus, exil'd and poor, Forget their swelling and gigantic words. 1817 Chalmers Astron. Disc. iv. (1852) 92 What an impressive rebuke does it bring on the swelling vanity of science. 1843 Borrow Bible in Spain xxxvi, Insignificant are the results of man's labours compared with the swelling ideas of his presumption. |
8. Of style or language: Grand, magnificent, stately, majestic; usually in bad sense, Inflated, bombastic, turgid, pretentiously pompous.
| 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. i. i. 124 A more swelling port Then my faint meanes would grant continuance. 1597 Morley Introd. Mus. 183 To decke a lowlie matter with loftie and swelling speech. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, i. Prol. 4 O for..A Kingdome for a Stage, Princes to Act, And Monarchs to behold the swelling Scene. 1617 Purchas Pilgrimage v. xi. §2 (ed. 3) 634 The swelling stile of this King of Bisnagar. a 1661 Fuller Worthies (1662) ii. 127 His stile, conceived by some to be swelling, is allowed for lofty and full by others. 1680 Morden Geog. Rect., Spain (1685) 171 The Vulgar Spanish or Castilian..is said to be a brave lofty swelling Speech. 1712 Addison Spect. No. 279 ¶5 Those swelling Sentiments which are so frequent in Statius. 1812 H. & J. Smith Rej. Addr. x. (1873) 92 A swelling opening is too often succeeded by an insignificant Conclusion. 1846 Keightley Notes Virg., Bucol. v. 36 Perhaps this [sc. mandavimus] is too swelling a term for bucolic simplicity. a 1859 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxiii. (1861) V. 6 Those swelling sentiments of liberty which abound in the Latin poets and orators. 1895 M. R. James Abbey St. Edmund at Bury 125, I will render Leland's swelling Latin into literal English. |