stifle

/ˈstaɪfəl/

noun

  1. 1

    A hind knee of various mammals, especially horses.

  2. 2

    A bone disease of this region.

verb

  1. 1

    To interrupt or cut off.

  2. 2

    To repress, keep in or hold back.

    “The army stifled the rebellion.”
  3. 3

    To smother or suffocate.

    “The heat was stifling the children.”
  4. 4

    To feel smothered etc.

    “The heat felt stifling.”
  5. 5

    To die of suffocation.

    “Two firemen tragically stifled in yesterday's fire when trying to rescue an old lady from her bedroom.”
  6. 6

    To treat a silkworm cocoon with steam as part of the process of silk production.

Synonyms

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