suffocate

suf·fo·cate [ súffə kàyt ] (past and past participle suf·fo·cat·ed, present participle suf·fo·cat·ing, 3rd person present singular suf·fo·cates)


transitive and intransitive verb

Definitions:

1. die from lack of air: to die from lack of air, or kill somebody by stopping him or her from breathing


2. stop breathing: to deprive somebody of air or prevent somebody from breathing, or be unable to breathe


3. feel, or make somebody, too warm: to feel uncomfortable through excessive heat and lack of fresh air, or make somebody feel uncomfortable in this way


4. prevent somebody or something from developing: to confine and restrict somebody or something with adverse effects, or be or feel confined and restricted in development or self-expression


[15th century. < Latin suffocat-, past participle of suffocare "narrow up" < fauc- "throat, narrow entrance"]

• suf·fo·cat·ing adj


• suf·fo·cat·ing·ly adv


• suf·fo·ca·tion [ sùffə káysh'n ] n

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