Swarm, n. [OE. swarm, AS. swearm; akin to D. zwerm, G. schwarm, OHG. swaram, Icel. svarmr a tumult, Sw. svärm a swarm, Dan. sværm, and G. schwirren to whiz, to buzz, Skr. svar to sound, and perhaps to E. swear. √177. Cf. Swerve, Swirl.] 1. A large number or mass of small animals or insects, especially when in motion. “A deadly swarm of hornets.” Milton.
2. Especially, a great number of honeybees which emigrate from a hive at once, and seek new lodgings under the direction of a queen; a like body of bees settled permanently in a hive. “A swarm of bees.” Chaucer.
3. Hence, any great number or multitude, as of people in motion, or sometimes of inanimate objects; as, a swarm of meteorites.
Those prodigious swarms that had settled themselves in every part of it. Addison.
Syn. — Multitude; crowd; throng.