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swelter

 - 2 dictionary results

swel⋅ter

[swel-ter]
–verb (used without object)
1. to suffer from oppressive heat.
–verb (used with object)
2. to oppress with heat.
3. Archaic. to exude, as venom.
–noun
4. a sweltering condition.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME swelt(e)ren (v.), equiv. to swelt(en) to be overcome with heat (OE sweltan to die; c. ON svelta, Goth swiltan) + -eren -er 6
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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swel·ter   (swěl'tər)   
v.   swel·tered, swel·ter·ing, swel·ters

v.   intr.
To suffer from oppressive heat.
v.   tr.
  1. To affect with oppressive heat.

  2. Archaic To exude (venom, for example).

n.  A condition of oppressive heat.

[Middle English swelteren, frequentative of swelten, to faint from heat, from Old English sweltan, to perish.]
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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