I.v. inch. n. [tumeo], to begin to swell, to swell up (poet. and in postAug. prose).
I. Lit.: “inflatum mare cum subito penitusque tumescit, Cic. poët. Div. 1, 7, 13: vi maria,” Verg. G. 2, 479: “freta ventis,” Ov. M. 1, 36: “inflata colla,” id. ib. 6, 377: “vulnera,” Tac. H. 2, 77: “fluvius tabe nivis,” Luc. 10, 244: “suco herba,” Sen. Herc. Fur. 936: “matura virginitas,” Claud. Epith. 125.—
II. Trop., to swell up, become swollen with passionate excitement, to become excited, violent, ready to burst forth: “rumpor et ora mihi pariter cum mente tumescunt (with anger),” Ov. H. 8, 57: “rabie,” Claud. IV. Cons. Hon. 242.—
B. To be puffed up with pride or insolence: “mens aut languescit aut contra tumescit inani persuasione,” Quint. 1, 2, 18; “so with pride: serviles animi alte,” Claud. in Eutr. 1, 176: “Ly dia Pactoli fonte,” id. II. Cons. Stil. 61: “(monet) operta tumescere bella,” are fermenting, threatening to break out, Verg. G. 1, 465; cf.: “tumescens bellum,” Vell. 2, 15, 2.
