v.
Pronunciation: ' s ə -f ə - ˌ k ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -cat · ed ; -cat · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin suffocatus, past participle of suffocare to choke, stifle, from sub- + fauces throat
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 a (1) : to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation) (2) : to deprive of oxygen b : to make uncomfortable by want of fresh air
2 : to impede or stop the development of
intransitive verb
1 : to become suffocated: a (1) : to die from being unable to breathe (2) : to die from lack of oxygen b : to be uncomfortable through lack of fresh air
2 : to become checked in development
– suf · fo · ca · tion \ ˌ s ə -f ə - ' k ā -sh ə n \ noun
– suf · fo · ca · tive \ ' s ə -f ə - ˌ k ā -tiv \ adjective