stifle

STIFLE, verb transitive [Latin , stiff and stop. Gr.] 1. To suffocate; to stop the breath or action of the lungs by crowding something into the windpipe, or by infusing a substance into the lungs, or by other means; to choke; as, to stifle one with smoke or dust. 2. To stop; as, to stifle the breath; to stifle respiration. 3. To oppress; to stop the breath temporarily; as, to stifle one with kisses; to be stifled in a close room or with bad air. 4. To extinguish; to deaden; to quench; as, to stifle flame; to stifle a fire by smoke or by ashes. 5. To suppress; to hinder from transpiring or spreading; as, to stifle a report. 6. To extinguish; to check or restrain and destroy; to suppress; as, to stifle a civil war in its birth. 7. To suppress or repress; to conceal; to withhold from escaping or manifestation; as, to stifle passion; to stifle grief; to stifle resentment. 8. To suppress; to destroy; as, to stifle convictions. STIFLE, noun 1. The joint of a horse next to the buttock, and corresponding to the knee in man; called also the stifle joint. 2. A disease in the knee-pan of a horse or other animal.