swelling

[swel-ing]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that swells.

2. the condition of being or becoming swollen. swollen.

3. a swollen swollen part; a protuberance or prominence.

4. Pathology.,  an abnormal enlargement or protuberance, as that resulting from edema.

swelling

/ ˈswɛlɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of expansion or inflation

2. the state of being or becoming swollen

3. a swollen or inflated part or area

4. an abnormal enlargement of a bodily structure or part, esp as the result of injury

Other Word Forms

• unswelling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swelling¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; swell + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

"It's not swelling. It's not feeling bad after a session," he said.

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There can be side effects - such as redness, swelling and bruising but these tend to be temporary.

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Or his ankles swelling to often alarming sizes.

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I shove down the swelling balloon of hope in my heart.

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Now graceful whorls of green leaves poked through the damp soil, and the stalks had begun to rise, with only a tender green swelling where the flower buds would very soon be.

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Related Words

• abscess 
• blister 
• bruise 
• bump 
• contusion 
• inflammation 
• injury 
• nodule 
• sore 
• tumor 
• welt