Definition of swarm

The English word "swarm" has its roots in the Old English word "swerma," which meant "sound" or "noise." This word likely originated from the Old Norse "svairm," which had a similar meaning. In its earliest uses, "swarm" was applied to any collection of things that made a loud noise, such as a crowd of people or a flock of birds. It wasn't until the Middle English period that "swarm" specifically referenced a group of flying insects, such as bees or wasps. The connection between swarms and noise is still present in modern English, as words like "buzz" and "hum" are often used to describe the sound made by insects in a swarm. This linguistic evolution is a testament to the power of observation and linguistic adaptation - the word "swarm" has adapted and evolved over time to accurately describe a complex natural phenomenon, while retaining its root meaning in the process. In summary, the word "swarm" originated as a term for any collection of things that made a loud noise, and has since evolved to refer specifically to a group of flying insects, while preserving its connection to noise through the use of descriptive words like "buzz" and "hum."