Swell

Appears to come from Old English "swellan."

Takes on the meaning of a gradual rise or increase, also, the shape made by such a rise--> a gently rounded or curved shape. 

The swell of the sea.  A swelling pride.  (See also "swollen.")

Later (but now obsolete):  a wealthy or highly placed or popular person.  "He was a real swell."

And from that later meaning, the adjective, "swell," great, splendid, excellent.  In other words, the adjectives that belong to a person called "a swell."




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