swelter

[ swel-ter ]

verb (used without object)

1. to suffer from oppressive heat.

verb (used with object)

1. to oppress with heat.
2. Archaic. to exude, as venom.

noun

1. a sweltering condition.

swelter

/ ˈswɛltə /

verb

1. intr to suffer under oppressive heat, esp to sweat and feel faint
2. archaic.
   tr to exude (venom)
3. rare.
   tr to cause to suffer under oppressive heat

noun

1. a sweltering condition (esp in the phrase in a swelter )
2. oppressive humid heat

Other Words From

• un·sweltered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swelter¹

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 -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of swelter¹

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

Example Sentences

There no longer is anywhere to hide from the swelter and welter of the American id.

From The Daily Beast

Well, everybody isn't away, when there are several hundred people swelter all the hot season right here in Baltimore.

From Project Gutenberg

The city, hot as an oven, seemed to swelter in the stifling night.

From Project Gutenberg

In the crowded quarters of the cities millions of natives swelter and endure with the dumb resignation of animals.

From Project Gutenberg

Then follows hot weather, perhaps up in the eighties, and Californians grumble, swelter and rustle for summer clothes.

From Project Gutenberg

But in that glare and swelter of traffic, a trained human eye could not have recognized any particular car.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• broil
• sweat
• wilt