◙ (past participle swollen 或 swelled) 1. [no obj.] (especially of a part of the body) become larger or rounder in size, typically as a result of an accumulation of fluid • （多指身体的一部分）肿胀 »her bruised knee was already swelling up. 她擦伤的膝盖已经肿起来了。 »the sky was black and swollen with rain. 天黑压压的就要下雨了。 »[as adj. swollen] swollen glands. 肿胀的腺体。 become or make greater in intensity, number, amount, or volume • （在强度，数目，数量，体积方面）逐渐扩大 »[no obj.] the murmur swelled to a roar. 窃窃私语的声音逐渐扩大形成一片喧哗。 »[as adj. swelling] the swelling ranks of Irish singer-songwriters. 不断扩大的爱尔兰歌手兼歌曲作家的队伍。 »[with obj.] the population was swollen by refugees. 大量的难民使人口剧增。 be intensely affected or filled with a particular emotion • （情绪）高涨，充满 »she felt herself swell with pride. 她感到心中一股自豪之情油然而生。 ◙ noun 1. [in sing.] a full or gently rounded shape or form • 凸起处；隆起处 »the soft swell of her breast. 她胸部的柔和隆起。 a gradual increase in sound, amount, or intensity • （声音，数量，强度）逐渐增长 »a huge swell in the popularity of one-day cricket. 一日板球赛越来越受到欢迎。 a welling up of a feeling • 感情的高涨 »a swell of pride swept over George. 一股自豪之情掠过了乔治的心头。 2. [usu. in sing.] a slow, regular movement of the sea in rolling waves that do not break • 滚滚海浪；海面的缓慢起伏（有浪而无浪花）；浪涌 »there was a heavy swell. 海面上有很大的浪涌。 3. a mechanism for producing a crescendo or diminuendo in an organ or harmonium • （管风琴、簧风琴的）音量调节器 4. (informal, dated)a person of wealth or high social position, typically one perceived as fashionable or stylish • [非正式，旧] （多指时髦有风度的）富人；头面人物 »a crowd of city swells. 一群城市名流。 ◙ adjective 1. [N. Amer. informal, dated] excellent; very good • [北美，非正式，旧] 第一流的；极好的 »you're looking swell. 你今天看起来非常精神。 (archaic)smart;fashionable • [古] 漂亮的；时髦的 »a swell boulevard. 一条漂亮的林荫大道。 ◙ adverb 1. [N. Amer. informal, dated] excellently; very well • [北美，非正式，旧] 极好地；出色地 »everything was just going swell. 一切都进展得非常顺利。
【IDIOMS】
◘ someone's head swells 1. someone becomes conceited • 自以为是 »I am not saying this to make your head swell. 我这样说不是为了让你感到自以为是的。 »if I say this, you'll get swollen-headed. 要是我这么说，你肯定会觉得自己了不起的。
【语源】
1. Old English swellan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German schwellen. Current senses of the noun date from the early 16th cent.; the informal adjectival use derives from noun sense 4 (late 18th cent.)