smolder Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a fire that burns with thick smoke but no flame
    smoulder.
    • the smoulder suddenly became a blaze
  2. verb burn slowly and without a flame
    smoulder.
    • a smoldering fire
  3. verb have strong suppressed feelings
    smoulder.

WordNet

Smol"der, Smoul"der intransitive verb (Also<
  • Smolder
  • Smoulder
)
Etymology
OE. smolderen; cf. Prov. G. smölen, smelen, D. smeulen. Cf. Smell.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Smoldered or Smouldered; present participle & verbal noun Smoldering or Smouldering
Definitions
  1. To burn and smoke without flame; to waste away by a slow and supressed combustion.
    The smoldering dust did round about him smoke. Spenser.
  2. To exist in a state of suppressed or smothered activity; to burn inwardly; as, a smoldering feud.
Smol"der, Smoul"der transitive verb (Also<
  • Smolder
  • Smoulder
)
Definitions
  1. To smother; to suffocate; to choke. Obs. Holinshed. Palsgrave.
Smol"der, Smoul"der noun (Also<
  • Smolder
  • Smoulder
)
Definitions
  1. Smoke; smother. Obs.
    The smolder stops our nose with stench. Gascoigne.

Webster 1913