stifle

¹sti·fle

noun \ˈstī-fəl\

Definition of STIFLE

: the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (as a horse or dog) corresponding to the human knee — see horse illustration

Origin of STIFLE

Middle English

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with STIFLE

rifle, trifle

²stifle

verb

sti·fledsti·fling \-f(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of STIFLE

transitive verb

1

a : to kill by depriving of oxygen : suffocate

b (1) : smother (2) : muffle

2

a : to cut off (as the voice or breath)

b : to withhold from circulation or expression <stifled our anger>

c : deter, discourage

intransitive verb

: to be or become unable to breathe easily <stifling in the heat>

— sti·fler \-f(ə-)lər\ noun

— sti·fling·ly \-f(ə-)liŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of STIFLE

1. trying to stifle a cry
2. I had to stifle the desire to yell “Stop!”.
3. Students at the school are stifled by the pressure to score high on tests.
4. Too many regulations stifle innovation.
5. something that stifles the growth of the plant
6. I wish we could go outside instead of stifling in this tiny room.
7. He was almost stifled by the smoke.

Origin of STIFLE

alteration of Middle English stuflen

First Known Use: 1513

Related to STIFLE

Synonyms

choke, smother, strangle, suffocate

Antonyms

unmuffle

Related Words

garrote (or garotte), throttle; asphyxiate; drown; croak [slang], destroy, dispatch, do in, fell, slay

Near Antonyms

breathe, exhale, expire, inhale, inspire; resuscitate, revive

sti·fle

noun \ˈstī-fəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of STIFLE

: the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (as a horse) corresponding to the knee in humans

Illustration of STIFLE