Swarm

n. [A-S. swearm, O. H. Ger. swârm, N. H. Ger. schwarm, D. zwerm, Icel. sverm, Sw. & Dan. svärm, from the root of Ger. schwirren, to make a sharp, shrill, or piercing noise, Skr. swar, to sound.]

1. A large number of small animals or insects, especially when in motion. “A deadly swarm of hornets.” Milton.
2. Especially, a great number of honey bees which emigrate from a hive at once, and seek new lodgings under the direction of a queen; or a like body of bees united and settled permanently in a hive.
3. Hence, any great number or multitude, as of people in motion, or sometimes of inanimate objects.

Syn. — Multitude; crowd; throng.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. SWARMED; p. pr. & vb. n. SWARMING.] [A-S. swēarmian, L. Ger. swarmen, H. Ger. schwärmen, D. zwermen, Sw. svärma, Dan. svärme.]

1. To collect and depart from a hive by flight in a body, as 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; to run.

In crowds around the swarming people join. Dryden. 3. To be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of animals in motion. Every place swarms with soldiers. Spenser.

4. To abound; to be filled, as with a number or crowd of objects.
5. To breed multitudes.

Not so thick swarmed once the soil Bedropped with blood of Gorgon. Milton. 6. [Allied to worm, or to swarm, sware, 3.] To climb, as a tree, by embracing it with the arms and legs, and scrambling. See SHIN. At the top was placed a piece of money, as a prize for those who could swarm up and seize it. Coxe.