Main Entry: smol·der

Variant(s): or smoul·der \ˈsmōl-dər\

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): smol·dered or smoul·dered; smol·der·ing or smoul·der·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\

Etymology: Middle English smolderen to smother, from smolder smoke, smudge; akin to Middle Dutch smōlen to smolder

Date: 1529

1 a : to burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke b : to be consumed by smoldering —often used with out
2 : to exist in a state of suppressed activity <hostilities smoldered for years>
3 : to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy <eyes smoldering with hate>