Definitions For Sweal

Verb

{{en-verb}} (intransitive) To burn slowly. (intransitive) To melt and run down, as the tallow of a candle; waste away without feeding the flame. : (Sir Walter Scott) (transitive) To singe; scorch; dress (as a hog) with burning or singeing. (transitive, dialectal) To consume with fire; burn. (transitive, dialectal) To make disappear; cause to waste away; diminish; reduce.

Alternative forms

swale

Etymology

From Middle English swelen, from {{inh, en, ang, swelan, , to burn, be burnt up, inflame, pos=st vb}} (compare {{cog, ang, swǣlan, , to burn, pos=wk vb}}), from {{inh, en, gem-pro, swelaną, , to smoulder, burn slowly, create a burningly cold sensation}}, from {{der, en, ine-pro, *swel-, , to shine, warm, smoulder, burn}}. Cognate with {{cog, nl, zwelen, , to smoulder}}, {{cog, nds, swelen, , to smoulder}}, {{cog, de, schwelen, , to smoulder}}, {{cog, is, svala, , to cool}}. Related to swelter.