Upswellings

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An increase or rise of something, particularly a surge in a physical phenomenon such as water or emotions
2. A notable ascension or growth in quantity or intensity, often used to describe geological or psychological phenomena
3. The action of swelling upwards, commonly associated with natural events or rising feelings, indicating a significant upward movement

Etymology: "Upswellings" is simply the plural of "upswelling," a noun formed by combining "up" with "swelling," the familiar noun from the verb "swell." The compound describes a rise or increase, most often of water welling up or of a feeling building inside someone, and its plural form is used when several such surges are meant at once. Both parts are old English stock. "Up" and "swelling" were each productive in English long before the compound appeared, so the word needs no foreign source to explain it. Its meaning rests on the physical image of something rising and expanding from below, which is why it moves easily from water to emotion.

Synonyms: surges, rises, increases