Swell
/swɛl/noun
To increase in size or volume, often through expansion.
Did you know?In Old English, 'swellan' meant to 'swollen' or 'to grow,' connecting this word to the concept of life force and vitality in ancient texts.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sweḱ-
“to be strong, to thrive, to grow.”
Old English
Old English
swellan
“to grow or increase in size.”
Middle English
Middle English
swellen
“to swell, expand, or grow larger.”
16th Century
English
swell
“to rise or protrude, often used in a more figurative sense.”
Modern English
English
swell
“to increase in size, volume, or intensity.”