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Webster 1913 Edition

Suffocation

Sufˊfo-ca′tion

,
Noun.
[L.
suffocatio
: cf. F.
suffocation
.]
The act of suffocating, or the state of being suffocated; death caused by smothering or choking.
☞ The term suffocation is sometimes employed synonymously with asphyxia. In the strict medico-legal sense it signifies asphyxia induced by obstruction of the respiration otherwise than by direct pressure on the neck (hanging, strangulation) or submersion (drowning).
Quain.

Webster 1828 Edition

Suffocation

SUFFOCA'TION

,
Noun.
The act of choking or stifling; a stopping of respiration, either by intercepting the passage of air to and from the lungs, or by inhaling smoke, dust or air that is not respirable.
1.
The act of stifling, destroying or extinguishing.

Definition 2024

suffocation

suffocation

See also: suffocâtion

English

Noun

suffocation ‎(countable and uncountable, plural suffocations)

  1. (uncountable) Asphyxia—a condition in which an extreme decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the body accompanied by an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide leads to loss of consciousness or death.
    A child left unattended may die of suffocation.
  2. (countable) A particular act of death or killing by means of asphyxia.
    The coroner reported three suffocations last week.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

French

Etymology

From Latin suffocatio.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /sy.fɔ.ka.sjɔ̃/

Noun

suffocation f ‎(plural suffocations)

  1. suffocation

Etymology

From Middle French suffocation, from Latin suffocatio.

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