sweal

verb

ˈswēl,
especially before pause or consonant -ēəl
-ed/-ing/-s

intransitive verb

1
chiefly dialectal, of a candle : to melt away : gutter
2
chiefly dialectal : to waste away

transitive verb

chiefly dialectal : burn

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swailen, sweilen, swelen, partly from Old English swelan (vi) to burn; partly from Old English swǣlan (vt) to cause to burn

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Dictionary Entries Near sweal

Cite this Entry

“Sweal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweal. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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