simmer
[sim-er]
- to cook or cook in a liquid at or just below the boiling point.
- to make a gentle murmuring sound, as liquids cooking just below the boiling point.
- to be in a state of subdued or restrained activity, development, excitement, anger, etc.: The town simmered with rumors.
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- to keep (liquid) in a state approaching boiling.
- to cook in a liquid that is kept at or just below the boiling point.
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- the state or process of simmering.
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- simmer down,
- to reduce in volume by simmering.
- Slang.to become calm or quiet, as from a state of anger or turmoil: We waited for the audience to simmer down.
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Origin of simmer
First recorded in 1645–55; alteration of earlier simper < ?
Synonym study
3. See boil1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for simmer
Contemporary Examples
Add the butter, chicken stock, salt, bay leaf, thyme, and tarragon and bring to a simmer.
Transfer the halves and cylinders to a medium sauté pan with the chicken stock and butter and bring to a simmer.
Add the vinegar, bring to a simmer, then stir in the chicken stock.
In a small saucepan, combine the yogurt, cream, and vadouvan spice and bring to a simmer.
Add the remaining tomatoes, cover, and simmer for another 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Historical Examples
Cover it close, set it on hot coals, and let it simmer about an hour.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
Then put in the strained blood and simmer it for another hour, at least.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
Let it simmer awhile, but take it up before it comes to a boil.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
Simmer them for an hour, and having skimmed it well, strain off the liquid.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
Set the pan on hot coals, and simmer them gently about five minutes.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
simmer
- to cook (food) gently at or just below the boiling point
- (intr) to be about to break out in rage or excitement
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- the act, sound, or state of simmering
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Word Origin
C17: perhaps of imitative origin; compare German summen to hum
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for simmer
v.
1650s, alteration of simperen "to simmer" (late 15c.), possibly imitative; not thought to be connected to simper (v.). OED says the change is "probably due to a feeling of phonetic appropriateness." Figurative sense, of feelings, "to be agitated" is from 1764. Opposite sense, in simmer down, first recorded 1871, probably from the notion of moving from a full boil to a mere simmer.
I must and will keep shady and quiet till Bret Harte simmers down a little. [Mark Twain, letter, 1871]
Related: Simmered; simmering. The noun meaning "a condition of simmering" is from 1809.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper