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...

Homeostasis of Organism Water Regulation
Osmoregulation is the regulation of water concentrations in the bloodstream, effectively controlling the amount of water..

Protein Activity and Cellular Metabolism
Proteins have a crucial role in various biological activities. Get to know how proteins are able to perform as enzymes, ..

Seed Plants
Seed plants are vascular plants. They differ from the other vascular plants in producing seeds that germinate into a new..

Kidneys and Regulation of Water and Inorganic Ions
The kidneys are responsible for the regulation of water and inorganic ions. Read this tutorial to learn about the differ..

New Zealand’s Unique Flora
If New Zealand has lots of unique animals, it's also got a whole lot of unique plants. Find out more about some of them,..

Effect of Chemicals on Growth & Development in Organisms
Plants and animals need elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium for proper growth and developme..