[f. next.] A sweltering condition. Also in phr. (slang) to do a swelter, to perspire.
1851. Illustr. Lond. News, 23 Aug., 234/3. Perspiring multitudes who stand the swelter with a pluck which would do honour to niggers.
1884. Punch, 11 Oct., 180/1. So I let them as liked do a swelter.
¶ Equivalent to sweltered venom (see SWELTERED 1), or confused with WELTER = slough.
1894. Crockett, Mad Sir Uchtred, 156. He skimmed the green swelter of the bottomless shaking bogs.
1914. J. K. Graham, Anno Domini, 138. Knowledge of falsehood dug out of the swelter of the pit.
