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Swelling
01
an area of one's body that has become unusually larger, caused by an injury or sickness
Examples
Swelling often occurs as a response to injury, infection, or inflammation, causing the affected area to become larger and tender.
Common causes of swelling include sprains, fractures, insect bites, and allergic reactions.
02
an increase in volume of a material caused by heating or by uptake or release of water or other substances, often observed in polymers, clays, and biological materials
Examples
Polymers and rubbers expand and sometimes absorb heat‑released moisture or volatiles, producing measurable swelling.
Clay minerals and some soils undergo thermal and hydration swelling when heated or wetted, changing volume and sometimes releasing bound water.
03
a visible or palpable bulge or lump that projects from a surface
Examples
The tree trunk had a rounded swelling where an old branch had been wounded.
A swelling on the roof of the ship marked where the metal had been forced outward.
Lexical Tree
swelling
swell
