a-swim,advb.phr.|əˈswɪm| [a prep.1 + swim.] Swimming, afloat. 1663in Spalding Troub.Chas. I (1829) 44 The soldiers..were all a-swim through the water that came in at the holes and leaks of the ship.1870Morris Earth. Par. I. i. 125 The shallow flowing sea..set the wrack a-swim.