smother

smother [smuth′ər]

vt.

[ME smorthren < smorther, dense smoke < base of OE smorian, to suffocate, akin to MLowG smoren, to smoke < var. of IE base * smel- > SMELL]

1.

a) to keep from getting enough air to breathe; stifle

b) to kill in this way; suffocate

2. to cover (a fire), excluding air from it and causing it to smolder or die down

3. to cover over thickly [liver smothered in onions]

4. to hide or suppress by or as by covering; stifle [to smother a yawn]

vi.

1.

a) to be kept from getting enough air to breathe

b) to die in this way; be suffocated

2. to be hidden, stifled, or suppressed

n.

1. dense, suffocating smoke or any thick cloud of dust, steam, fog, etc.

2. a confused turmoil; welter

3. Archaic a smoldering fire

4. Archaic a smoldering state or condition

smotherer

n.

smothery

adj.