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swelter
[ swel-ter ]
/ ˈswɛl tər /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used without object)
to suffer from oppressive heat.
verb (used with object)
to oppress with heat.
Archaic. to exude, as venom.
noun
a sweltering condition.
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Origin of swelter
1375–1425; late Middle English swelt(e)ren (v.), equivalent to swelt(en) to be overcome with heat (Old English sweltan to die; cognate with Old Norse svelta,Gothic swiltan) + -eren-er6
OTHER WORDS FROM swelter
un·swel·tered, adjectiveWords nearby swelter
swelled head, have a, swellfish, swell front, swellhead, swelling, swelter, sweltering, sweltry, Swenson, swept, sweptback
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use swelter in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for swelter
swelter
/ (ˈswɛltə) /
verb
(intr) to suffer under oppressive heat, esp to sweat and feel faint
(tr) archaic to exude (venom)
(tr) rare to cause to suffer under oppressive heat
noun
a sweltering condition (esp in the phrase in a swelter)
oppressive humid heat
Word Origin for swelter
C15 swelten, from Old English sweltan to die; related to Old Norse svelta to starve, Old High German swelzan to burn with passion; see sultry
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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