[smol.der] or smoul.der vi smol.dered or smoul.dered ; smol.der.ing or smoul.der.ing [ME smolderen to smother, fr. smolder smoke, smudge; akin to MD smolen to smolder] (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 ~ed for years"
3: to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy "eyes ~ing with hate"