stifle

stifle
sti|fle [ˈstaıfəl] v
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: Probably from Old French estouffer 'to stifle']
1.) [T]
to stop something from happening or developing
≠ ↑encourage
rules and regulations that stifle innovation
How can this party stifle debate on such a crucial issue?
2.) [T]
to stop a feeling from being expressed
He stifled an urge to hit her.
stifle a yawn/smile/grin etc
I tried to stifle my laughter.
3.) [I,T usually passive]
if you are stifled by something, it stops you breathing comfortably
He was almost stifled by the fumes.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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  • Stifle — Sti fle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Stifled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Stifling}.] [Freq. of OE. stif stiff; cf. Icel. st[=i]fla to dam up.] 1. To stop the breath of by crowding something into the windpipe, or introducing an irrespirable substance into the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Stifle — can mean: * To suffocate * To prevent from speaking or to prevent a view being heard. See free speech, gag and gagging.A stifle is also the name for an animal s knee joint. See stifle joint.* Stifle yourself, or simply Stifle! was a frequent… …   Wikipedia

  • Stifle — Sti fle, n. [From {Stiff}.] (Far.) 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}. See Illust. under {Horse}. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • stifle — stifle1 [stī′fəl] vt. stifled, stifling [altered (prob. infl. by ON stīfla, to stop up: for IE base see STIFF) < ME stuflen, freq. formation < MFr estouffer, to smother < VL * stuppare, to stuff up (see STOP), infl. by * extufare, to… …   English World dictionary

  • Stifle — Sti fle, v. i. To die by reason of obstruction of the breath, or because some noxious substance prevents respiration. [1913 Webster] You shall stifle in your own report. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • stifle — (v.) late 14c., to choke, suffocate, drown, of uncertain origin, possibly an alteration of O.Fr. estouffer to stifle, smother, which may be from a Germanic source (Cf. O.H.G. stopfon to plug up, stuff ). Metaphoric sense is from 1570s. Related:… …   Etymology dictionary

  • štifle — štìfle ž mn <G mn štíflā/ ī> DEFINICIJA reg. zast. čizme [obuti/izuti štifle] ETIMOLOGIJA njem. Stiefel …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • stifle — ► VERB 1) prevent from breathing freely; suffocate. 2) smother or suppress. 3) prevent or constrain (an activity or idea). ORIGIN perhaps from Old French estouffer smother, stifle …   English terms dictionary

  • stifle — I verb annihilate, arrest, balk, bar, block, check, choke, conceal, constrain, contain, control, crush, damp, deaden, destroy, drown, dull, extinguish, frustrate, gag, hush, inhibit, kill, mask, muffle, mute, muzzle, obstruct, opprimere, prevent …   Law dictionary

  • ştifle — ştífle s.f. pl. (înv. şi reg.) cizme; ghete. Trimis de blaurb, 21.02.2007. Sursa: DAR …   Dicționar Român

  • stifle — *suffocate, asphyxiate, smother, choke, strangle, throttle …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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