Entry Word: strangle

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to be or cause to be killed by lack of breathable air <the gull got tangled in a piece of fishing line on the beach and was strangled> — see smother 1
2 to keep (someone) from breathing by exerting pressure on the windpipe <the boy felt like he was being strangled by his tie> — see choke 1
3 to refrain from openly showing or uttering <strangled a gasp of surprise upon hearing the news> — see suppress 2