n.
Variant: or smoul · der
Pronunciation: ' sm ō l-d ə r
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form: smol · dered or smoul · dered ; smol · der · ing or smoul · der · ing \ -d( ə -)ri ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English smolderen to smother, from smolder smoke, smudge; akin to Middle Dutch sm ō len to smolder
Date: 1529
1 a : to burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke b : to be consumed by smoldering ― often used with out
2 : to exist in a state of suppressed activity <hostilities smolder ed for years>
3 : to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy <eyes smolder ing with hate>