swarm
1 (swôrm)
[Middle English, group of bees, from Old English swearm.]
noun
- A large number of insects or other small organisms, especially when in motion.
- A group of bees with a queen bee in migration to establish a new colony. See synonyms at flock1
- An aggregation of persons or animals, especially when in turmoil or moving in mass: A swarm of friends congratulated him.
- A number of similar geologic phenomena or features occurring closely within a given period or place: a swarm of earthquakes.
verb: swarmed, swarm·ing, swarms.
intransitive verb
- To move or emerge in a swarm.
- To leave a hive as a swarm. Used of bees.
- To move or gather in large numbers.
- To be overrun; teem: a riverbank swarming with insects. See synonyms at teem1
transitive verb
- To fill with a crowd: sailors swarming the ship's deck.
derivatives
- swarḿer
- noun
swarm
2 (swôrm)
[Origin unknown.]
verb: swarmed, swarm·ing, swarms.
intransitive verb
- To climb by gripping with the arms and legs.
transitive verb
- To climb (something) in this manner.
