Main Entry:

¹swel·ter

Pronunciation:

\ˈswel-tər\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

swel·tered; swel·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English sweltren, frequentative of swelten to die, be overcome by heat, from Old English sweltan to die; akin to Gothic swiltan to die

Date:

14th century

intransitive verb1: to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat2: to become exceedingly hot <in summer, the place swelters>transitive verb1: to oppress with heat2archaic : exude <sweltered venom — Shakespeare>