Category:Swarm

Swarm, v. i. Etym: [cf. Swerve.]

Defn: to climb a tree, pole, or the like, by embracing it with the Arms and legs alternately. See shin. [colloq.] At the top was placed a piece of money, as a prize for those who Could swarm up and seize it. W. Coxe.

Swarm Swarm, n. Etym: [oe. swarm, as. swearm; akin to d. zwerm, g. schwarm, Ohg. swaram, icel. svarmr a tumult, sw. svärm a swarm, dan. sværm, And g. schwirren to whiz, to buzz, skr. svar to sound, and perhaps to E. swear. *177. Cf. Swerve, swirl.]

1. A large number or mass of small animals or insects, especially When in motion. "a deadly swarm of hornets." Milton.

2. Especially, a great number of honeybees which emigrate from a hive At once, and seek new lodgings under the direction of a queen; a like Body of bees settled permanently in a hive. "a swarm of bees." Chaucer.

3. Hence, any great nimber or multitude, as of people in motion, or Sometimes of inanimate objects; as, a swarm of meteorites. Those prodigious swarms that had settled themselves in every part of It [italy]. Addison.

Syn. -- multitude; crowd; throng.

Swarm Swarm, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Swarmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swarming.]

1. To collect, and depart from a hive by flight in a body; -- said of Bees; as, bees swarm in warm, clear days in summer.

2. To appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate In a multitude. Chaucer.

3. To be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of beings in Motion. Every place swarms with soldiers. Spenser.

4. To abound; to be filled (with). Atterbury.

5. To breed multitudes. Not so thick swarmed once the soil bedropped with blood of gorgon. Milton.

Swarm Swarm, v. t.

Defn: to crowd or throng. Fanshawe.