First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1swelter
verb swel·ter \ˈswel-tər\
: to be very hot and uncomfortable
swel·teredswel·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of SWELTER
intransitive verb
1
: to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat
2
: to become exceedingly hot <in summer, the place swelters>
transitive verb
1
: to oppress with heat
2
archaic : exude <sweltered venom — Shakespeare>
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Origin of SWELTER
Middle English sweltren, frequentative of swelten to die, be overcome by heat, from Old English sweltan to die; akin to Gothic swiltan to die
2swelter
noun
Definition of SWELTER
1
: a state of oppressive heat
2
: welter
3
: an excited or overwrought state of mind : sweat <in a swelter>
First Known Use of SWELTER
1851
SWELTER Defined for Kids
swelter
verb swel·ter \ˈswel-tər\
swel·teredswel·ter·ing
Definition of SWELTER for Kids
: to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat
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