Past participle of swell; enlarged, distended, or expanded beyond normal size. Often refers to body parts affected by injury or inflammation.
From Old English 'swellan' meaning 'to grow larger, expand'. The past participle 'swollen' developed through Middle English, with the double 'l' reflecting the word's Germanic origins.
Swelling is actually one of the body's primary defense mechanisms, increasing blood flow to injured areas to deliver healing cells and nutrients. The word 'swollen' has also expanded metaphorically to describe inflated egos, swollen rivers, and other forms of excessive growth or pride.
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