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.