swarm
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English [edit]
Pronunciation [edit]
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Audio (US) (file)
- Rhymes: -ɔː(r)m
Etymology 1 [edit]
From Middle English swarm, from Old English swearm (“swarm, multitude”), from Proto-Germanic *swarmaz (“swarm, dizziness”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer- (“to buzz, hum”). Cognate with Scots swarm (“swarm”), Dutch zwerm (“swarm”), German Schwarm (“swarm”), Danish sværm (“swarm”), Swedish svärm (“swarm”), Icelandic svarmur (“tumult, swarm”), Latin susurrus (“whispering, humming”), Lithuanian surma (“a pipe”), Russian свирель (svirel', “a pipe, reed”).
Noun [edit]
swarm (plural swarms)
- A large number of insects, especially when in motion or (for bees) migrating to a new colony.
- A mass of people or animals in turmoil.
Translations [edit]
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Etymology 2 [edit]
From Middle English swarmen, swermen, from Old English swierman (“to swarm”), from Proto-Germanic *swarmijanan (“to swarm”). Cognate with Scots swairm, swerm (“to swarm”), Dutch zwermen (“to swarm”), German schwärmen (“to swarm”), Danish sværme (“to swarm”), Swedish svärma (“to swarm”).
Verb [edit]
swarm (third-person singular simple present swarms, present participle swarming, simple past and past participle swarmed)
- (intransitive) To move as a swarm.
- (intransitive) To teem, or be overrun with insects.
- (transitive) To fill a place as a swarm.
- (transitive) To overwhelm as by an opposing army.
- To climb by gripping with arms and legs.
- 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, chapter 55
- She called out, and a boy came running along. He swarmed up a tree, and presently threw down a ripe nut. Ata pierced a hole in it, and the doctor took a long, refreshing draught.
- 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, chapter 55
Translations [edit]
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
