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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

At the top was placed a piece of money, as a prize for those who could swarm up and seize it. W. Coxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. swarm, AS. swearm; akin to D. zwerm, G. schwarm, OHG. swaram, Icel. svarmr a tumult, Sw. svärm a swarm, Dan. svaerm, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence, any great number or multitude, as of people in motion, or sometimes of inanimate objects; as, a swarm of meteorites. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those prodigious swarms that had settled themselves in every part of it [ Italy ]. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Multitude; crowd; throng. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate in a multitude. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of beings in motion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every place swarms with soldiers. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To abound; to be filled (with). Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To breed multitudes. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not so thick swarmed once the soil
Bedropped with blood of Gorgon. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]