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smolder

 - 3 dictionary results

smol⋅der

  [smohl-der]
Use smolder in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to burn without flame; undergo slow or suppressed combustion.
2. to exist or continue in a suppressed state or without outward demonstration: Hatred smoldered beneath a polite surface.
3. to display repressed feelings, as of indignation, anger, or the like: to smolder with rage.
–noun
4. dense smoke resulting from slow or suppressed combustion.
5. a smoldering fire.
Also, smoulder.

Origin:
1275–1325; (n.) ME smolder smoky vapor, dissimilated var. of smorther smother; (v.) ME (as prp. smolderende), deriv. of the n.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To smolder
smol·der also smoul·der   (smōl'dər)   
intr.v.   smol·dered also smoul·dered, smol·der·ing also smoul·der·ing, smol·ders also smoul·ders

  1. To burn with little smoke and no flame.

  2. To exist in a suppressed state: Revolution smoldered in the masses.

  3. To show signs of repressed anger or hatred.

n.  Thick smoke resulting from a slow fire.

[Middle English smolderen, to suffocate, from smolder, smoke, probably alteration of smorther, from Old English smorian, to smoke.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

smolder 
c.1300 (implied in smoldering), "to smother, suffocate," cognate with M.Du. smolen, Low Ger. smelen, Flem. smoel "hot," from P.Gmc. *smel-, *smul-. The meaning "burn and smoke without flame" is first recorded 1529, fell from use 17c. (though smoldering persisted in poetry) and was revived 19c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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