Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - simmer

(simmers, simmering, simmered) 1. When you simmer food or when it simmers, you cook it by keeping it at boiling point or just below boiling point. Make an infusion by boiling and simmering the rhubarb and camomile together... Turn the heat down so the sauce simmers gently. VERB: V n, V • Simmer is also a noun. Combine the stock, whole onion and peppercorns in a pan and bring to a simmer. N-SING 2. If a conflict or a quarrel simmers, it does not actually happen for a period of time, but eventually builds up to the point where it does. ...bitter divisions that have simmered for more than half a century... The province was attacked a month ago after weeks of simmering tension. VERB: V, V-ing