Swelter: meaning, definitions and examples
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swelter
[ ˈswɛltər ]
weather condition
To swelter means to suffer from oppressive heat. This can refer to both the environment's temperature and to a person's physical discomfort due to heat. It's often used to describe extreme weather situations, such as sweltering summer days. The term captures the feeling of being overheated and uncomfortable, often leading to sweating and fatigue.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- We sweltered in the summer sun.
- He sweltered while waiting for the bus.
- The tourists sweltered in the heat during their vacation.
figurative usage
Swelter can also be used metaphorically to describe an emotional state that feels stifling or oppressive. In this context, it can refer to feeling overwhelmed by stress or discomfort in a social situation. This figurative meaning emphasizes the feeling of being trapped in an unbearable situation, akin to the physical sensation of heat.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She sweltered under the pressure of deadlines.
- He sweltered during the tense meeting.
- They sweltered with embarrassment when called out.
Translations
Translations of the word "swelter" in other languages:
🇵🇹 suor
🇮🇳 कड़ी गर्मी
🇩🇪 Schwüle
🇮🇩 kegerahan
🇺🇦 спекотіти
🇵🇱 upał
🇯🇵 蒸し暑い
🇫🇷 suer
🇪🇸 sofocar
🇹🇷 bunaltmak
🇰🇷 더위에 시달리다
🇸🇦 عرق
🇨🇿 potit se
🇸🇰 potenie
🇨🇳 闷热
🇸🇮 znoj
🇮🇸 sudda
🇰🇿 терлеу
🇬🇪 სითბო
🇦🇿 istilik
🇲🇽 sofocar
Etymology
The word 'swelter' traces its origins to the Middle English term 'sweltren,' which meant 'to be faint with heat.' This word has ties to the Old English 'sweltan,' meaning 'to die' or 'to perish,' indicative of the severe effects of extreme heat. Historically, the concept of sweltering was closely related to the experiences of people in warmer climates, who often faced life-threatening conditions due to excessive temperatures. Its use has persisted into modern English, where it denotes not just physical discomfort but also emotional states related to pressure and stress. Over the centuries, 'swelter' has been incorporated into various literary works, often evoking vivid imagery of heat and discomfort, reflecting humanity's age-old struggle against the elements.