Swim \Swim\, v. i. [imp. Swamor Swum; p. p. Swum; p. pr. &
vb. n. Swimming.] [AS. swimman; akin to D. zwemmen, OHG.
swimman, G. schwimmen, Icel. svimma, Dan. sw["o]mme, Sw.
simma. Cf. Sound an air bladder, a strait.]
1. To be supported by water or other fluid; not to sink; to
float; as, any substance will swim, whose specific gravity
is less than that of the fluid in which it is immersed.
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2. To move progressively in water by means of strokes with
the hands and feet, or the fins or the tail.
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Leap in with me into this angry flood,
And swim to yonder point. --Shak.
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3. To be overflowed or drenched. --Ps. vi. 6.
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Sudden the ditches swell, the meadows swim.
--Thomson.
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4. Fig.: To be as if borne or floating in a fluid.
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[They] now swim in joy. --Milton.
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5. To be filled with swimming animals. [Obs.]
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[Streams] that swim full of small fishes. --Chaucer.
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