sweltering

[swel-ter-ing] /ˈswɛl tər ɪŋ/
adjective
1.
suffering oppressive heat.
2.
characterized by oppressive heat; sultry.
Origin
1565-75; swelter + -ing2
Related forms
swelteringly, adverb
unsweltering, adjective

swelter

[swel-ter] /ˈswɛl tər/
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 Middle English swelt(e)ren (v.), equivalent to swelt(en) to be overcome with heat (Old English sweltan to die; cognate with Old Norse svelta, Gothic swiltan) + -eren -er6
Related forms
unsweltered, adjective
Examples from the web for sweltering
  • sweltering inland temperatures are averaged with cooler coastal weather.
  • But so many more, it seemed, withstood the sweltering heat.
  • Baobab trees such as this one can provide some relief from the sweltering heat.
  • In the midst of sweltering heat waves, air conditioning can be a lifesaver, protecting against heat stroke and hyperthermia.
  • Hundreds of thousands of commuters were stranded, many in sweltering subway stations and aboard trains stopped by flooded tracks.
  • And sweltering in the dark has been only part of the problem.
  • In addition to the discomfort, it can keep swimmers out of the water for several sweltering weeks.
  • We had spent the morning sweltering behind a barred door, with daylight only through chinks and our one high window in the gable.
  • Survivors said they shouted and pounded the sides of the sweltering truck as the air grew thinner.
  • They had many benefits in the sweltering heat of the rugged border region.
British Dictionary definitions for sweltering

sweltering

/ˈswɛltərɪŋ/
adjective
1.
oppressively hot and humid: a sweltering day
Derived Forms
swelteringly, adverb

swelter

/ˈswɛltə/
verb
1.
(intransitive) to suffer under oppressive heat, esp to sweat and feel faint
2.
(transitive) (archaic) to exude (venom)
3.
(transitive) (rare) to cause to suffer under oppressive heat
noun
4.
a sweltering condition (esp in the phrase in a swelter)
5.
oppressive humid heat
Word Origin
C15 swelten, from Old English sweltan to die; related to Old Norse svelta to starve, Old High German swelzan to burn with passion; see sultry
Word Origin and History for sweltering

swelter

v.

c.1400, frequentative of swelten "be faint (especially with heat)," late 14c., from Old English sweltan "to die," from Proto-Germanic *swel- (cf. Old Saxon sweltan "to die," Old Norse svelta "to put to death, starve," Gothic sviltan "to die"), originally "to burn slowly," hence "to be overcome with heat or fever;" also the source of Old English swelan "to burn," from PIE root *swel- (2) "to shine, beam" (see Selene). For specialization of words meaning "to die," cf. starve. Related: Sweltered; sweltering.