Welter

v. i. [imp. & p. p. WELTERED; p. pr. & vb. n. WELTERING.] [L. Ger. weltern, woltern, A-S. weltan, wältan, to roll, to welter, Dan. välte, valtre, vrälte, Sw. vältra, välta, Icel. velta, O. H. Ger. walzan, M. H. Ger. walzen, N. H. Ger. wälzen, Goth. valtjan, valvjan.]

1Sense 1. To roll, as the body of an animal; to wallow; to tumble about, especially in any thing foul or defiling. “The priests at the altar . . . weltering in their blood.” Landor.

When we welter in pleasures and idleness, then we eat and drink with drunkards. Latimer.

He must not float upon his watery bier Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, Without the need of some melodious tear. Milton.

2Sense 2. To rise and fall, as waves; to tumble over, as billows. “The weltering waves.” Milton. “Waves that, hardly weltering, die away.” Wordsworth. “Through this blindly weltering sea.” Trench.

n. That in which one welters or wallows; filth; mire; slough. “The foul welter of our so-called religious or other controversies.” Carlyle.