WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Sti"fle
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [From Stiff.] (Far.)
Definition : Defn: 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. Stifle bone, a small bone at the stifle joint; the patella, or kneepan.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Sti"fle
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [Freq. of OE. stif stiff; cf. Icel. stifla to dam up.]
Definition : 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.

t. [imp. & p. p. Stifled; p. pr. & vb. n. Stifling.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Sti"fle
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : Defn: To die by reason of obstruction of the breath, or because some noxious substance prevents respiration. You shall stifle in your own report. Shak.

i.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913