Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Swarm?

\Swarm\, v. i. [Cf. {Swerve}.] 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\, n. [OE. swarm, AS. swearm; akin to D. zwerm, G. schwarm, OHG. swaram, Icel. svarmr a tumult, Sw. sv["a]rm a swarm, Dan. sv[ae]rm, and G. schwirren to whiz, to buzz, Skr. svar to sound, and perhaps to E. swear. [root]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 number 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\, 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\, v. t. To crowd or throng. --Fanshawe.