I. ˈstraŋgəl, -aiŋ- verb
( strangled ; strangled ; strangling -g(ə)liŋ ; strangles )
Etymology: Middle English stranglen, from Middle French estrangler, from Latin strangulare, from Greek strangalan, from strangalē halter — more at strain
transitive verb
1.
a. : to compress the windpipe of until death results from stoppage of respiration : choke to death by compressing the throat with or as if with a hand or rope : throttle
b. : interfere with or obstruct seriously or fatally the normal breathing of
the bone wedged in his throat and strangled him
the tear gas strangled the convicts
2.
a. : to hinder the growth of (an organism) : deny a vital necessity (as air, water, or food) to : choke off or out
b. : to suppress, hinder, or halt the rise, expression, or development of by extreme restrictions or stringency
expression of biological needs is strangled by social pressures — Abram Kardiner
the states strangle local initiative — T.C.Desmond
strangling her trade would neither cause immediate hardship … nor stop an army — John Sparkman
c. : to check free utterance of
a strangled gasp of anguish — O.E.Rölvaag
intransitive verb
1. : to become strangled : undergo an especially severe interference of breathing
she chokes very easily, and sometimes strangles — Grace Reiten
2. : to die from or as if from interference with breathing
several prisoners in the hold strangled
Synonyms: see suffocate
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by shortening
: stranglehold