smother
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1smoth·er

noun \ˈsmə-thər\

Definition of SMOTHER

1
a : thick stifling smoke or smudge
b : a state of being stifled or suppressed
2
: a dense cloud (as of fog or dust)
3
: a confused multitude of things : welter
smoth·ery \ˈsmə-thə-rē, ˈsməth-rē\ adjective

Origin of SMOTHER

Middle English, alteration of smorther, from smoren to smother, from Old English smorian to suffocate; akin to Middle Dutch smoren to suffocate
First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with SMOTHER

2smother

verb
smoth·eredsmoth·er·ing \ˈsmə-thə-riŋ, ˈsməth-riŋ\

Definition of SMOTHER

intransitive verb
: to be overcome or killed through or as if through lack of air
transitive verb
1
: to overcome or kill with smoke or fumes
2
a : to kill by depriving of air
b : to overcome or discomfit through or as if through lack of air
c : to suppress (a fire) by excluding oxygen
3
a : to cause to smolder
b : to suppress expression or knowledge of <smothered his rage>
c : to stop or prevent the growth or activity of <smother a child with too much care>; also : overwhelm
d : to cover thickly : blanket <snow smothered the trails>
e : to overcome or vanquish quickly or decisively
4
: to cook in a covered pan or pot with little liquid over low heat

Examples of SMOTHER

  1. He tried to smother her with a pillow.
  2. She smothered the fire with a blanket.

First Known Use of SMOTHER

circa 1520

Related to SMOTHER

Rhymes with SMOTHER

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: to overwhelm with shock,
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