Search the Dictionary

To increase the size, bulk, or dimensions of; to cause to rise, dilate, or increase; as, rains and dissolving snow swell the rivers in spring; immigration swells the population. [The Church] swells her high, heart-cheering tone. Keble.

The lapping of chamfered edges of planks to make a smooth surface, as for a bulkhead.

A vessel fitted with tanks for the carrying of oil or other liquid in bulk.

To disturb as by a tempest. [Obs.] Part huge of bulk Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait, Tempest the ocean. Milton.

To increase in bulk or stature; to grow vigorously or luxuriantly, as a plant; to flourish; as, young cattle thrive in rich pastures; trees thrive in a good soil.

lear, pure, and flowing language, what he found in books well known to the world, but too bulky or too dry for boys and girls. Macaulay.

An indefinite large quantity. Shak. A tun of man in thy large bulk is writ. Dryden.

Not easily wielded or carried; unmanageable; bulky; ponderous. "A fat, unwieldy body of fifty-eight years old." Clarendon. -- Un*wield"i*ly, adv. -- Un*wield"i*ness, n.

Of great extent; very spacious or large; also, huge in bulk; immense; enormous; as, the vast ocean; vast mountains; the vast empire of Russia. Through the vast and boundless deep. Milton.

ommon rowboat; as, a war vessel; a passenger vessel. [He] began to build a vessel of huge bulk. Milton.

ace occupied, as measured by cubic units, that is, cubic inches, feet, yards, etc.; mass; bulk; as, the volume of an elephant's body; a volume of gas.

Having volume, or bulk; massive; great.

Of great volume, or bulk; large. B. Jonson. (c) Consisting of many volumes or books; as, the collections of Muratori are voluminous.

To be diminished; to lose bulk, substance, strength, value, or the like, gradually; to be consumed; to dwindle; to grow less. The time wasteth night and day. Chaucer. The barrel of meal shall not waste. 1 Kings xvii. 14. But man dieth, and wasteth away. Job xiv. 10.

To add water to (anything), thereby extending the quantity or bulk while reducing the strength or quality; to extend; to dilute; to weaken. To water stock, to increase the capital stock of a company by issuing new stock, thus diminishing the value of the individual shares. Cf. Water, n., 7. [Brokers' Cant]…