Swarm

Swarm, n. [OE. swarm, AS. swearm; akin to D. zwerm, G. schwarm, OHG. swaram, Icel. svarmr a tumult, Sw. svärm a swarm, Dan. sværm, and G. schwirren to whiz, to buzz, Skr. svar to sound, and perhaps to E. swear. √177. Cf. Swerve, Swirl.] 1. A large number or mass of small animals or insects, especially when in motion. "A deadly swarm of hornets." Milton.

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. Hence, any great number 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].

Syn. -- Multitude; crowd; throng.

Swarm (?), v. i. [Cf. Swerve.] To climb a tree, pole, or the like, by embracing it with the arms and legs alternately. See Shin. [Colloq.]

At the top was placed a piece of money, as a prize for those who could swarm up and seize it.

Swarm, v. t. To crowd or throng. Fanshawe.

Swarm, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Swarmed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Swarming.] 1. To collect, and depart from a hive by flight in a body; -- said of bees; as, bees swarm in warm, clear days in summer.

2. To appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate in a multitude. Chaucer.

3. To be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of beings in motion.

Every place swarms with soldiers.

4. To abound; to be filled (with). Atterbury.

5. To breed multitudes.

Not so thick swarmed once the soil
Bedropped with blood of Gorgon.