Main Entry:

¹choke

Pronunciation:

\ˈchōk\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

choked; chok·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, alteration of achoken, from Old English ācēocian, from ā-, perfective prefix + cēoce, cēace jaw, cheek — more at abide, cheek

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1: to check or block normal breathing of by compressing or obstructing the trachea or by poisoning or adulterating available air2 a: to check or hinder the growth, development, or activity of <the flowers were choked by the weeds> b: to obstruct by filling up or clogging <leaves choked the drain> c: to fill completely : jam <roads choked with traffic>3: to enrich the fuel mixture of (a motor) by partially shutting off the air intake of the carburetor4: to grip (as a baseball bat) some distance from the end of the handle —usually used with upintransitive verb1: to become choked in breathing <he choked on a bone>2 a: to become obstructed or checked b: to become or feel constricted in the throat (as from strong emotion) —usually used with up<choked up and couldn't finish the speech>3: to shorten one's grip especially on the handle of a bat —usually used with up4: to lose one's composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation <had a chance to win the game but he choked>