strangle

[ strang-guhl ]
/ ˈstræŋ gəl /

verb (used with object), stran·gled, stran·gling.

to kill by squeezing the throat in order to compress the windpipe and prevent the intake of air, as with the hands or a tightly drawn cord.
to kill by stopping the breath in any manner; choke; stifle; suffocate.
to prevent the continuance, growth, rise, or action of; suppress: Censorship strangles a free press.

verb (used without object), stran·gled, stran·gling.

to be choked, stifled, or suffocated.

Origin of strangle

1250–1300; Middle English strangelen < Old French estrangler < Latin strangulāre < Greek strangalân, derivative of strangálē halter, akin to strangós twisted

OTHER WORDS FROM strangle

stran·gler, noun stran·gling·ly, adverb un·stran·gled, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for strangle

British Dictionary definitions for strangle

strangle
/ (ˈstræŋɡəl) /

verb

(tr) to kill by compressing the windpipe; throttle
(tr) to prevent or inhibit the growth or development of to strangle originality
(tr) to suppress (an utterance) by or as if by swallowing suddenly to strangle a cry
See also strangles

Word Origin for strangle

C13: via Old French, ultimately from Greek strangalē a halter

Medical definitions for strangle

strangle
[ strănggəl ]

v.

To compress the trachea so as to prevent sufficient passage of air; suffocate.