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 verb 1 : to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat
2 : to become exceedingly hot <in summer, the place swelters>transitive verb 1 : to oppress with heat
2 archaic : exude <sweltered venom — Shakespeare>