Etymology
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suffocate (v.)

early 15c. (transitive), "deprive of air, choke, kill by preventing access of air to the lungs," also figurative, "stifle, smother, extinguish," from Latin suffocatus, past participle of suffocare "to choke" (see suffocation). Intransitive use, "become choked, stifled, or smothered," is from 1702. Related: Suffocated; suffocating.

Entries linking to suffocate

suffocation (n.)

late 14c., suffocacioun, "obstruction of breathing, choking," from Old French suffocation, suffocacion and directly from Latin suffocationem (nominative suffocatio) "a choking, stifling," noun of action from past-participle stem of suffocare "suffocate, throttle, stifle, strangle," originally "to narrow up," from sub "up (from under)" (see sub-) + fauces (plural) "throat, narrow entrance" (see faucet).

updated on December 27, 2013

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Definitions of suffocate from WordNet

suffocate (v.)
deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing;
The child suffocated herself with a plastic bag that the parents had left on the floor
Synonyms: smother / asphyxiate
suffocate (v.)
impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of;
Synonyms: stifle / asphyxiate / choke
suffocate (v.)
become stultified, suppressed, or stifled;
Synonyms: choke
suffocate (v.)
suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of;
His job suffocated him
Synonyms: choke
suffocate (v.)
be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen;
The child suffocated under the pillow
Synonyms: stifle / asphyxiate
suffocate (v.)
feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh air;
suffocate (v.)
struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake;
Synonyms: gag / choke / strangle
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near suffocate

suffice

sufficiency

sufficient

sufficiently

suffix

suffocate

suffocation

Suffolk

suffragan

suffrage

suffragette

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