Pronunciation: [swˈɛlt] (IPA) 
The word "swelt" is a rare and archaic spelling of the word "swelter" which means to suffer from excessive heat or to feel uncomfortably hot. The phonetic transcription of "swelt" is /swɛlt/ with the "s" pronounced as /s/, the "w" pronounced as /w/, and the "e" pronounced as /ɛ/. The "l" is silent, which is typical in English spelling. This word may not be commonly used today, but it remains a valid spelling of "swelter."
Swelt is an archaic verb that originated in Middle English, and its usage has largely faded in modern language. The term is derived from the Old English word "sweltan," which means "to die" or "to perish." Swelt typically refers to the act of dying or being overwhelmed by extreme heat, usually due to intense weather conditions or excessive exposure to the sun. It specifically relates to the feeling of being excessively hot and suffocated by high temperatures, often resulting in extreme discomfort, dehydration, or even death.
In ancient times, before the widespread use of air conditioning or modern methods of cooling, swelt was commonly used to express the sensation experienced during a heatwave or in scorching climates. People who were unable to find respite from the sweltering heat would describe themselves as swelted or swelted with heat. Today, the term is infrequently used, except in nostalgic or poetic contexts, where it may be employed to evoke a sense of antiquated language or to describe oppressive heat.
Overall, swelt serves as a reminder of how language evolves over time and reflects the changes in society's norms and experiences. While no longer commonly used in contemporary language, its historical significance persists as a relic of an era when extreme heat posed significant challenges to human life and comfort.
The word "swelt" derives from the Old English "sweltan", meaning "to die", "to perish", or "to faint". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "sweltaną", which carries similar meanings. The term likely originated from imitative sounds associated with the act of dying or expressing extreme distress. Over time, "swelt" evolved to have a more specific meaning related to the sensation of extreme heat or becoming overheated, primarily found in certain dialects.
