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 out2: to exist in a state of suppressed activity <hostilities smoldered for years>3: to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy <eyes smoldering with hate>