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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Swarm \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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