[f. next.] A sweltering condition. Also in phr. (slang) to do a swelter, to perspire.

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1851.  Illustr. Lond. News, 23 Aug., 234/3. Perspiring multitudes who stand the swelter with a pluck which would do honour to niggers.

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1884.  Punch, 11 Oct., 180/1. So I let them as liked do a swelter.

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  ¶  Equivalent to sweltered venom (see SWELTERED 1), or confused with WELTER = slough.

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1894.  Crockett, Mad Sir Uchtred, 156. He skimmed the green swelter of the bottomless shaking bogs.

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1914.  J. K. Graham, Anno Domini, 138. Knowledge of falsehood dug out of the swelter of the pit.

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