Swarm

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɔː(r)m

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

1. A large number of insects, especially when in motion or (for bees) migrating to a new colony.
• Miltona deadly swarm of hornets
2. A mass of people, animals or things in motion or turmoil.a swarm of meteorites
• Addisonthose prodigious swarms that had settled themselves in every part of it Italy

From Middle English swarmen, swermen, from Old English swierman ("to swarm"), from Proto-Germanic *swarmijaną ("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").

Full definition of swarm

Verb

1. (intransitive) To move as a swarm.
2. (intransitive) To teem, or be overrun with insects, people, etc.
• SpenserEvery place swarms with soldiers.
3. (transitive) To fill a place as a swarm.
4. (transitive) To overwhelm as by an opposing army.
5. To climb by gripping with arms and legs alternately.
• W. CoxeAt the top was placed a piece of money, as a prize for those who could swarm up and seize it.
• 1919, William Somerset Maugham, ,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.
6. To breed multitudes.
• MiltonNot so thick swarmed once the soil
  Bedropped with blood of Gorgon.

Anagrams

• warms