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 verb 1 : to check or block normal breathing of by compressing or obstructing the trachea or by poisoning or adulterating available air
2 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 carburetor
4 : to grip (as a baseball bat) some distance from the end of the handle —usually used with upintransitive verb 1 : 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 up
4 : to lose one's composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation <had a chance to win the game but he choked>