stifle
1. To stop the breath of by crowding something into the windpipe, or introducing an irrespirable substance into the lungs; to choke; to suffocate; to cause the death of by such means; as, to stifle one with smoke or dust. Stifled with kisses, a sweet death he dies. (Dryden) I took my leave, being half stifled with the closeness of the room. (swift)
2. To stop; to extinguish; to deaden; to quench; as, to stifle the breath; to stifle a fire or flame. Bodies . . . Stifle in themselves the rays which they do not reflect or transmit. (Sir I. Newton)
3. To suppress the manifestation or report of; to smother; to conceal from public knowledge; as, to stifle a story; to stifle passion. I desire only to have things fairly represented as they really are; no evidence smothered or stifled. (Waterland)
Origin: Freq. Of OE. Stif stiff; cf. Icel. Stifla to dam up.
To die by reason of obstruction of the breath, or because some noxious substance prevents respiration. You shall stifle in your own report. (Shak)
(Science: veterinary) The joint next above the hock, and near the flank, in the hind leg of the horse and allied animals; the joint corresponding to the knee in man; called also stifle joint. Stifle bone, a small bone at the stifle joint; the patella, or kneepan.
Origin: From Stiff.
Dictionary > Stifle
You will also like...
![The process of photosynthesis](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Photosynthesis-Photolysis-and-Carbon-Fixation-218x168.jpg)
Photosynthesis – Photolysis and Carbon Fixation
Photosynthesis is the process that plants undertake to create organic materials from carbon dioxide and water, with the ..
![temperature - abiotic factor](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Abiotic-and-Biotic-Factors-224x168.jpg)
Abiotic and Biotic Factors
This tutorial deals with the abiotic factors of the freshwater environment that determine what sort of life would be sui..
![Origins of Life on Earth](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Origins-of-Life-on-Earth-241x168.jpg)
Origins of Life on Earth
Earth was created around 4.5 billion years ago and life began not long after. Primitive life likely possessed the elemen..
![Protein (illustration)](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Protein-Variety-300x168.jpg)
Protein Variety
The sequence of amino acids determines the type of protein. Protein is synthesized according to the sequence of nucleoti..
![Types and Causes of Brain Damage](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Types-and-Causes-of-Brain-Damage-166x168.jpg)
Types and Causes of Brain Damage
This tutorial describes the different types and causes of brain damage. Find out how genetics, physical injury, lack of ..
![Muscle](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Muscle-233x168.jpg)
Muscle
Muscle cells are specialized to generate force and movement. Learn about the different types of muscle tissues in this t..