Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Being in a state of suppressed activity; quiet but not dead.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of smolder.
  • noun Alternative form of smouldering.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective showing scarcely suppressed anger

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Here's a call out to all Union states, let's celebrate General William Sherman this month for his courageous efforts which brought about the end of the confederacy and left the south in smoldering ruins.

    Virginia governor declares April as Confederate History Month 2010

  • Stone-faced, Garnett went through his warmups as if it were any other game in any other venue, with that trademark intensity smoldering from the moment he stepped on the court.

    USATODAY.com 2008

  • Detroit, Toledo, Watts, Newark, and many other cities were still smoldering from the summer riots of 1967 and '68.

    May 2004 2004

  • He turned to her now, his expression smoldering with sensuality, yet at the same time bewildered.

    Dance Of Desire Lisa, Leonore 1982

  • Myeloma is a disease of many stages, including one called smoldering or somnolent that is rarely treated unless it starts to progress.

    RutlandHerald.com 2010

  • "Wasteland" (from A Frames 2) is a schizophrenic stomper with a funereal bass line, lots of jaunty tambourine, and lyrics that perfectly wed two senses of the word smoldering: "I want to watch the smoke rise/I want to look in your eyes/I want your hand in my hand/I want to walk the wasteland."

    Chicago Reader 2010

  • Myeloma is a disease of many stages, including one called smoldering or somnolent that is rarely treated unless it starts to progress.

    NYT > Home Page By JANE E. BRODY 2010

  • - we know for a fact that before the ruins had stopped smoldering from the attacks of 11 September, Rumsfeld was seeking to pin the attacks on Saddam Hussein.

    Think Progress » Andrew Sullivan Compares Gore on Global Warming to Cheney’s Reckless Claims About WMD 2006

  • More than pain, they recall smoldering contempt for their torturers.

    Mort Rosenblum: The Dark Side 2008

  • The building is, in fact, still smoldering, which is a real testament to the intensity of the fire that ripped through here yesterday.

    CNN Transcript Mar 14, 2004 2004

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