Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
SWELL
I. verb (swelled; swelled or swollen; swelling)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English swellan; akin to Old High German swellan to swell Date: before 12th century intransitive verb
1. to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit , to become distended or puffed up , to form a bulge or rounded elevation,
2. to become filled with pride and arrogance, to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important manner, to play the swell, to become distended with emotion, transitive verb to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion, to increase the size, number, or intensity of , see: expand
II. noun
Date: 1606
a long often massive and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing beyond or after its cause (as a gale),
2. the condition of being protuberant, a rounded elevation,
3. the act or process of swelling, b. a gradual increase and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound, a device used in an organ for governing loudness,
4. an impressive, pompous, or fashionable air or display, a person dressed in the height of fashion, a person of high social position or outstanding competence,
III. adjective
Date: 1785
1. stylish , socially prominent, excellent