Hypertext Webster Gateway: "stifle"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Stifle \Sti"fle\, v. i.
To die by reason of obstruction of the breath, or because
some noxious substance prevents respiration.
You shall stifle in your own report. --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Stifle \Sti"fle\, n. [From {Stiff}.] (Far.)
The joint next above the hock, and near the flank, in the
hind leg of the horse and allied animals; the joint
corresponding to the knee in man; -- called also {stifle
joint}. See Illust. under {Horse}.
{Stifle bone}, a small bone at the stifle joint; the patella,
or kneepan.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Stifle \Sti"fle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Stifled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Stifling}.] [Freq. of OE. stif stiff; cf. Icel. st[=i]fla to
dam up.]
1. To stop the breath of by crowding something into the
windpipe, or introducing an irrespirable substance into
the lungs; to choke; to suffocate; to cause the death of
by such means; as, to stifle one with smoke or dust.
Stifled with kisses, a sweet death he dies.
--Dryden.
I took my leave, being half stifled with the
closeness of the room. --Swift.
2. To stop; to extinguish; to deaden; to quench; as, to
stifle the breath; to stifle a fire or flame.
Bodies . . . stifle in themselves the rays which
they do not reflect or transmit. --Sir I.
Newton.
3. To suppress the manifestation or report of; to smother; to
conceal from public knowledge; as, to stifle a story; to
stifle passion.
I desire only to have things fairly represented as
they really are; no evidence smothered or stifled.
--Waterland.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
stifle
n : joint between the femur and tibia in a quadruped;
corresponds to the human knee [syn: {knee}]
v 1: conceal, suppress, or hide; "smother a yawn" [syn: {smother},
{muffle}]
2: smother or suppress; "Stifle your curiosity" [syn: {dampen}]
[ant: {stimulate}]
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