simmern.
/ˈsɪmə/, U.S. /ˈsɪmər/ 1. An act of simmering something; a spell of simmering. Also with up.
ΚΠ
1662 Culpeper's Directory for Midwives: 2nd Pt. iv. ii. 103 Set it in the embers, stir it, and let it boyl twelve simmers, til you see it froath, and grow a little thick.
1785 J. Farley London Art Cookery (ed. 3) 156 Season it [sc. the soup] with salt and a little chyan pepper; then give it a simmer up, and send it to table hot.
1808 D. Macdonald New London Family Cook 136 Put a little flour and water and boil it again, then put the spawn in and give it a simmer.
1861 A. Trollope Orley Farm (1862) I. vii. 48 Bread sauce is so ticklish; a simmer too much and it's clean done for.
1910 Atlantic (Iowa) Evening News 7 Feb. The long, slow simmer which softens the toughest meat.
2001 S. F. Slack Fondues & Hot Pots 86/1 After a brief simmer in a hot pot, the seafood is often dipped into a fish sauce.
2. Chiefly with indefinite article. The state or condition of simmering; (later also) the degree of heat at which something simmers. Formerly frequently in at (also on) a simmer, on the simmer.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > action of boiling > [noun] > action or fact of simmering
simperinga1500
simmering1689
simmer1758
1758 A. Reid tr. P. J. Macquer Elements Theory & Pract. Chym. II. 108 Put it with some water into a glass retort..and distill it, keeping the water just in a simmer.
1797 Repertory Patent Inventions 6 300 I bring the copper gradually to a simmer or slow boil, in which state I let it remain about 10 minutes.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. ii. v. 232 The kettle was kept on the simmer [Fr. l'eau bue].
1828 C. Lamb Refl. in Pillory in Elia 2nd Ser. 16 This nubbling might have helped the pot boil, when your dirty cuttings from the shambles..shall stand at a cold simmer.
1855 J. C. Morton Cycl. Agric. I. 328/1 These ingredients, after standing, perhaps, half an hour on a hot grate, were brought to a simmer, then strained.
1921 Amer. Cookery May 743/1 Boil hard for ten minutes... Diminish heat to a simmer.
1979 Guardian 2 Nov. 10/1 Add the peas, bring back to a simmer, and cook gently.
2005 Delicious Nov. 138 Gradually stir in a 200ml carton of coconut cream and bring to a simmer.
3. figurative. A state or feeling of (usually contained or suppressed) excitement, agitation, anger, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > passion > ardour or fervour > [noun] > burning with passion > inwardly or latently
smouldering1483
simmer1769
1769 T. Smollett Hist. & Adventures Atom I. 173 Taycho having kept the monster's brain on a simmer, until, like the cow-heel in Don Quixote, it seemed to cry, Comenme, comenme; Come, eat me, come, eat me.
1828 Foreign Q. Rev. Sept. 255 This ebullition of Germanicism had commenced, in a gentle kind of simmer, independently of the irritation excited by political events.
1896 ‘Iota’ Quaker Grandmother xii In a constant simmer of trying to be good.
1904 H. E. Rives Castaway 111 A simmer of rage rose in Gordon's throat.
1956 B. Chute Greenwillow ii. 24 She was going to be in a simmer when she found out who had her turnip now.
2014 S. Morgan Maybe this Christmas ii. 41 Pride mingled with the slow simmer of anger.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
simmerv.1
/ˈsɪmə/, U.S. /ˈsɪmər/ 1.
a. intransitive. Of liquid: to be at a heat just below boiling point, so as to be bubbling gently; to be maintained at this heat. Also with food which is being cooked in such liquid, or the containing vessel, etc., as subject.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > sound faintly or quietly [verb (intransitive)] > make murmuring sounds
murmurc1395
croona1500
mustle1570
mute1570
simmera1637
hummer1691
remurmur1697
hum1730
mummer1763
whimper?1795
mutter1797
brum1844
rumour1894
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > sound faintly or quietly [verb (reflexive)] > make murmuring sound
simmera1637
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > cooking > undergo cooking [verb (intransitive)] > undergo boiling > undergo simmering
simmera1637
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > action of boiling > boil [verb (intransitive)] > simmer
simpera1500
siver1601
simmera1637
sotter1781
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > action of boiling > boil [verb (reflexive)] > simmer
simmera1637
a1637 G. Markham Compl. Farriar (1639) xxxiii. 164 Set it on a fire of embers, where it may simmer, and not boyle, and so let it stew all an whole night.
1664 Court & Kitchin Joan Cromwel sig. G7v Let them [sc. chickens] simmer a quarter of an hour, then take half a dozen yolks of eggs..and so stir it altogether over a chafing-dish of coals.
1684 tr. T. Bonet Guide Pract. Physician iv. 135 Let it simmer on a gentle Fire, then let it cool.
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 51. ⁋7 To watch the skillet on the fire, to see it simmer with a due degree of heat.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. xviii. 432 The water in the singing brass Simmer'd.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xviii. 187 A large iron cauldron, bubbling and simmering in the heat.
1863 Lady's Newspaper 21 Mar. 394/3 Let the meat and vegetables simmer gently together for two hours.
1882 ‘Ouida’ In Maremma I. 37 While her frugal supper was simmering.
1906 A. Filippini Internat. Cook Bk. 250 Petite Marmite... It is very important that during the two and a half hours it should simmer exceedingly slowly.
1985 S. Hood Storm from Paradise (1988) 32 He..invited him to share a cup of tea from a pot that simmered on the hob.
2000 K. Atkinson Emotionally Weird (2001) 288 A boeuf Bourguignonne simmered..on the stove.
2012 Sunset Feb. 69/1 The cabbage and the mushrooms simmer in brewed genmaicha until tender.
b. transitive. To maintain (a liquid, food cooking in a liquid, etc.) at a heat just below boiling point; to allow to simmer (sense 1a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > cooking > cook [verb (transitive)] > boil > simmer
simmer1664
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > action of boiling > boil or cause to boil [verb (transitive)] > simmer
simper1604
simmer1664
1664 Court & Kitchin Joan Cromwel sig. I2 Cover it, and set it to the fire..; when it is half boyled, then simmer it.
1730 C. Carter Compl. Pract. Cook 8 Put in your nuckles of Veal in a Pot with a Skrew-top, and simmer it two Hours.
1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 147 Boil and simmer it until the water having evaporated leaves the kali behind.
1850 C. Holtzapffel Turning & Mech. Manip. III. 1377 It is then skimmed and simmered for about three hours.
1902 News (Frederick, Maryland) 6 Sept. Simmer a pound of good raisins in four quarts of water.
1925 Woman's World (Chicago) Apr. 45/3 (advt.) Plunge into boiling water, boil ten minutes, reduce heat and simmer three hours.
2007 Olive May 66/2 To make the coffee syrup, simmer the coffee and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
c. transitive (reflexive) with complement. To come into a specified state or condition through simmering.
ΚΠ
1874 Christian World Mag. Feb. 99 Something hot and savoury, which simmered on the hob, had simmered itself into rags and jelly.
a1881 G. H. Hollister Kinley Hollow (1882) xv. 102 Green wood will at last simmer itself into a blaze.
1930 Daily Mail 2 Oct. 19/4 When it [sc. the sauce] has simmered itself thick, throw in a big spoonful of orange juice and serve it very hot.
2017 A. Alsaid North of Happy xv. 146 Felix and I used to..hang out in the kitchen the whole day, taste-testing, letting the broth simmer itself delicious.
2. intransitive. figurative and in extended use, with reference to something likened to a liquid, a cooking pot, etc.: to maintain or remain at a level of activity, intensity, etc., just below (metaphorical) boiling point.
ΚΠ
1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme ii. xii. §12 That their vital heat and moisture may not always only simber in one sluggish tenour, but some times boil up higher and seeth over.
1699 W. Pinkethman Love without Interest i. 5 The Flames of your Beauty have so over-healed [prob. read over-heated] the yearning Intrails of my Affection, that they already begin to simmer within my Belly.
1762 T. Smollett Adventures Sir Launcelot Greaves II. xvii. 90 My head sings and simmers like a pot of chowder.
1818 Ld. Byron Beppo xl. 21 That sort of farthing candlelight which glimmers Where reeking London's smoky cauldron simmers.
1841 B. Hall Patchwork I. ix. 150 The patient..keeps simmering [in the bath] eight or ten hours.
1928 R. Campbell Wayzgoose i. 11 Through mists that simmered with the dawn His [sc. the sun's] hard-boiled face had reddened like a prawn.
1969 V. Scannell Epithets of War 52 A quiet brown place, a place to drink And let thought simmer like good stock.
3.
a. intransitive. Of a feeling (esp. anger, resentment, or discontent), or a tendency, quarrel, etc.: to be on the verge of breaking out or manifesting itself; to be in a state of subdued or suppressed activity; to seethe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > future [verb (intransitive)] > be imminent
comeOE
nigha1225
to draw nearc1330
approachc1374
drawa1375
to stand ina1382
to stand ona1382
instand1382
to draw ona1450
proacha1450
to draw nigha1470
to fall at handa1535
to hang by (on, upon) a threada1538
instant1541
to prick fast upon1565
impend1674
simmer1703
depend1710
loom1827
to knock about1866
to come up1909
1703 E. Young Serm. Several Occasions II. 251 They whose Spirits are always Simmering and Leaping into gayety, are not Wise in Action.
1762 R. Lloyd Poems 2 There are those..Whose friendship serves the talking turn, Just simmers to a kind concern.
1833 Boston Investigator 11 Oct. His [sc. God's] wrath simmers like wax before the flame.
1860 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) VI. 145 The disaffection was already simmering in Devonshire.
1883 19th Cent. May 811 This mean business had simmered on, and was at last at boiling point.
1930 Boys' Life Oct. 17/1 A volcano of resentment against the storekeeper simmered within him.
1985 Times 14 Mar. 17/5 Merger talks..are still simmering.
2000 Amer. Libraries Oct. 28/3 The dispute has been simmering since March.
2018 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 8 Jan. The regime may succeed at ending the street protests..but it won't be able to end the anger that simmers beneath the surface.
b. intransitive. Of a person, the heart, etc.: to be in a state of suppressed anger or excitement.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > passion > ardour or fervour > become ardent or fervent [verb (intransitive)] > burn with passion > inwardly or latently
smoulder1575
simmer1836
1836 Times 17 June 6/1 Mr. G. F. Young, who had been long simmering in the corner, suddenly came to the boiling point, and up he leaps with his usual steam-engine alacrity.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes ii. 108 This great fiery heart, seething, simmering like a great furnace of thoughts.
1884 Spectator 4 Oct. 1322/1 The tribes of Afghanistan were simmering to revolt.
1909 Blackwood's Mag. Apr. 524/1 He simmered with rage when he thought that the only being in the world whose opinion really mattered regarded him with something like contempt.
1930 D. L. Sayers Strong Poison x. 128 Wimsey was still simmering inwardly from this encounter when he entered Mr. Urquhart's office.
2001 Financial Times 27 Jan. (Weekend Suppl.) I/6 Adler..visibly simmers beneath his dignified grey beard.
Phrasal verbs
simmer down
1. transitive. To reduce (a liquid) in volume or otherwise transform by simmering, esp. in cookery. Also figurative.
ΚΠ
1820 Providence (Rhode Island) Patriot 19 Feb. One oz. alum, one oz. salt-petre, one oz. honey, one oz. borax, one pint of vinegar. Simmer them down to a gill, and wash the mouth with it, several times a day.
1839 London Age 18 Aug. 261/1 Men, who only wanted an O'Connell to simmer down their sedition à l'Irlandaise..in order to render them as prudently loyal as the Ribbonmen.
1847 R. J. Culverwell Laws Life, Health, & Happiness 69 This stomach has no teeth in it,..no boiling water to simmer down tough tendons.
1886 Boston Daily Globe 26 Apr. 4/4 I have noticed several arguments from your correspondents as regards the so-called five, six or seven senses. I simmer them down to one sense, the sense of feeling.
1903 Lutheran Observer 14 Aug. 20/2 The old time way of making a ‘pot roast’ was to put the meat in an abundance of water, boil hard, and at last simmer it down.
2011 R. Kaplan & K. R. Blume Urban Homesteading 183/1 Syrups are prepared by placing two ounces of an herb into one quart of water and simmering the liquid down to one pint to make a concentrated tea.
2. Originally U.S.
a. intransitive. To calm down from an angry or agitated state.Originally as part of an extended metaphor.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > become composed or calm [verb (intransitive)]
saughtelc1400
breathe1485
pacify1509
settle1591
compose1663
to breathe freely (also easy, easily)1695
tranquillize1748
cool1836
simmer down1842
calm1877
relax1907
to cool it1952
to Zen out1968
mellow1974
to take a chill pill1981
chillax1994
1842 Evening Star 20 Oct. 4/4 How to cure a sulky wife.—Take her, wrap her in a linen cloth..insinuate a bunch of nettles... She will now speedily simmer down to a proper consistency.
1843 Illustr. London News 20 May 343/2 He is devoured with rapture, but, while the world is boiling over, he simmers down into the mildest complacency of respectful gratitude.
1855 U.S. Rev. Sept. 221 My anger has very considerably evaporated, or rather, as might perhaps be said with greater justice, has began [sic] to simmer down.
1871 ‘M. Twain’ Lett. to Publishers (1967) 58 I must and will keep shady and quiet till Bret Harte simmers down a little.
1902 C. J. C. Hyne Mr. Horrocks, Purser 42 First Class passengers..don't handicap matters by interference—once they have simmered down.
1972 Times Lit. Suppl. 22 Dec. 1561/5 There they simmer down for a space, forget their mundane cares.
2000 Big Issue 4 Sept. 4/2 Motorists who feel they are on the verge of succumbing to a bout of road rage are being given the chance to simmer down at a tailor-made ‘calming zone’.
b. transitive. To cause (a person) to calm down.
ΚΠ
1860 Burlington (Iowa) Daily Hawk-eye 15 Sept. I dispatched back to Steve, telling him..that his ma should be found, and that I'd go right out in search of her. That kinder simmered him down.
1908 S. Ford Side-stepping with Shorty 269 ‘Guessed it by the clothes,’ says I. That simmers him down.
1973 W. Soyinka Season of Anomy v. 80 Let me talk to Ofeyi maybe he can simmer her down.
2002 H. E. Burchett Last Light x. 127 Jane simmered me down with those half-dozen words at a time when I was thoroughly exasperated with her.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† simmerv.2
Obsolete. rare.
transitive. To cement.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > build or construct [verb (transitive)] > unite with cement
cement1340
simmon1568
seal1662
simmer1725
1725 W. Halfpenny Art of Sound Building v. 49 You must add to the under Side by a Closier..; which, if simmer'd to the Brick, will add much to the Strength..of the Work.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2019; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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