stifling

[ stahy-fling ]
/ ˈstaɪ flɪŋ /

adjective

suffocating; oppressively close: the stifling atmosphere of the cavern.

Origin of stifling

First recorded in 1550–60; stifle1 + -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM stifling

sti·fling·ly, adverb un·sti·fling, adjective

Definition for stifling (2 of 2)

stifle 1
[ stahy-fuhl ]
/ ˈstaɪ fəl /

verb (used with object), sti·fled, sti·fling.

to quell, crush, or end by force: to stifle a revolt; to stifle free expression.
to suppress, curb, or withhold: to stifle a yawn.
to kill by impeding respiration; smother.

verb (used without object), sti·fled, sti·fling.

to suffer from difficulty in breathing, as in a close atmosphere.
to become stifled or suffocated.

Origin of stifle

1
1350–1400; Middle English < Old Norse stīfla to stop up, dam, akin to stīfr stiff

OTHER WORDS FROM stifle

sti·fler, noun un·sti·fled, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for stifling

British Dictionary definitions for stifling (1 of 3)

stifling
/ (ˈstaɪflɪŋ) /

adjective

oppressively hot or stuffy a stifling atmosphere

Derived forms of stifling

stiflingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for stifling (2 of 3)

stifle 1
/ (ˈstaɪfəl) /

verb

(tr) to smother or suppress stifle a cough
to feel or cause to feel discomfort and difficulty in breathing
to prevent or be prevented from breathing so as to cause death
(tr) to crush or stamp out

Derived forms of stifle

stifler, noun

Word Origin for stifle

C14: variant of stuflen, probably from Old French estouffer to smother

British Dictionary definitions for stifling (3 of 3)

stifle 2
/ (ˈstaɪfəl) /

noun

the joint in the hind leg of a horse, dog, etc, between the femur and tibia

Word Origin for stifle

C14: of unknown origin