swarm

Definitions

1. 1.A large number or mass of small animals or insects, especially when in motion. "A deadly swarm of hornets." Milton.
2. 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. 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.
4. 4.To collect, and depart from a hive by flight in a body; -- said of bees; as, bees swarm in warm, clear days in summer.
5. 5.To appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate in a multitude. Chaucer.
6. 6.To be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of beings in motion. Every place swarms with soldiers. Spenser.
7. 7.To abound; to be filled (with). Atterbury.
8. 8.To breed multitudes. Not so thick swarmed once the soil Bedropped with blood of Gorgon. Milton.
9. 9.To crowd or throng. Fanshawe.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "swarm" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is swarm.

• What is a large number or mass of small animals or insects, especially when in motion. "A deadly swarm of hornets." Milton called?
• What is to collect, and depart from a hive by flight in a body; -- said of bees; as, bees swarm in warm, clear days in summer called?
• What is to appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate in a multitude. Chaucer called?
• What is to be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of beings in motion. Every place swarms with soldiers. Spenser called?
• What is to abound; to be filled (with). Atterbury called?
• What is to breed multitudes. Not so thick swarmed once the soil Bedropped with blood of Gorgon. Milton called?