/ ˈsmʌðə(r); NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
smother sb (with sth) to kill sb by covering their face so that they cannot breathe
SYN suffocate :
He smothered the baby with a pillow.
2.
smother sth/sb with / in sth to cover sth/sb thickly or with too much of sth :
a rich dessert smothered in cream
She smothered him with kisses.
3.
to prevent sth from developing or being expressed
SYN stifle :
to smother a yawn / giggle / grin
The voices of the opposition were effectively smothered.
4.
to give sb too much love or protection so that they feel restricted :
Her husband was very loving, but she felt smothered.
5.
to make a fire stop burning by covering it with sth :
He tried to smother the flames with a blanket.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a noun in the sense stifling smoke ): from the base of Old English smorian suffocate .