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. 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 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.
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. 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 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.
