smothern.
/ˈsmʌðə/, U.S. /ˈsməðər/ 1.
a. Dense, suffocating, or stifling smoke, such as is produced by combustion without flame. (Frequently coupled with smoke.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > products of burning > [noun] > smoke > dense or suffocating
smotherc1175
smoulderc1325
smore1393
pother1627
stife1636
smudge1767
smoor1894
α.
β., γ.a1300 Body & Soul in Map's Poems (Camden) 339 Þe erþe it openede anon, smoke and smoþer op it wal.a1400 Adultery 87 in Herrig Archiv LXXIX. 420 Smoþer & smoke þer come owte wylde.a1400 Stockh. Medical MS. ii. 598 in Anglia XVIII. 322 Ȝif vnder nethyn þer hennys sate Of hennebane a smoþer thou make.a1470 Dives & Pauper (1496) vi. xxii. 270/2 There shall be brennynge fyre and smoder without ende.a1618 J. Sylvester Urania lxxxii A thick, dark, pitchy Cloud of smoak, That round-about a kindling Fire suppresses With waving smother.1657 P. Henry Diaries & Lett. (1882) 33 When a fire is first kindled there's a great deale of smoke and smother.1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. viii. 381 The great smother and smoke of the oakum.1789 G. White Nat. Hist. Selborne 20 Nothing is to be seen but smother and desolation.1828 J. R. Planché Desc. Danube i. 25 The distant dome of Saint Paul's rising above the smother of our huge metropolis.1882 R. D. Blackmore Christowell l Filled with blue sulphureous fog, and smother of bitumen.proverbial.a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) i. ii. 277 Thus must I from the smoake into the smother . View more context for this quotation1890 Daily News 25 June 5/1 They had gone from the smoke into the smother.figurative.1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare Concl. sig. IIi3v Now the Sonne is vp: your Smooder is scattered.1654 T. Gataker Disc. Apol. 12 A great smother of foggie fumes, raised by slanderous tongues.1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 2 Why else do they..spend their Taper in smoke and smother?1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas IV. x. i. 20 The mad blockhead was so suffocated by the smother of authorship.1975 N. Nicholson Wednesday Early Closing ix. 176 A dull smother of hopelessness hung over the town like the smutch from a smoking rubbish dump.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 43 Þet þridde [was] fur,..þe siste smorðer.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 199 Þe deofles chef. þet nis nocht bute to helle smorðere.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xx. 303 When smoke and smorþre smyt in hus eyen.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11796 Hit fest was on fyre, & flappit out onone, Vnto smorther & smoke.
b. A smouldering state or condition; a smouldering or slow-burning fire. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > a fire > [noun] > a kind of fire > smouldering fire
smoulder1548
smother1597
smother-fire1635
1597 Bp. J. King Lect. Ionas xiii. 173 It lieth happely in a smother and smoke a long time before it breaketh out.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 192 Men should remedy Suspicion, by procuring to know more, and not to keep their Suspicions in Smother.
1893 G. E. Dartnell & E. H. Goddard Gloss. Words Wilts. Smother, a weed and rubbish fire in a garden.
1899 T. S. Baldock Cromwell 363 This [liberty] he employed in fanning the smother into flame.
2.
a. Dense or suffocating dust, fog, etc., filling the air.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > gas > air > [noun] > air in any specific place or at specific time > thick or murky > matter filling the air
smother1697
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 259 Where clouds of dust arise, Amid that smother, Neptune holds his place.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. iv. 85 Crouching and crawling through the scaffolding, ladders, rubbish, flying smother, tumbling bricks, &c. of a half-ruined house.
1845 R. Browning Flight of Duchess xi, in Bells & Pomegranates No. VII: Dramatic Romances & Lyrics 14/2 The Duke..Stood for a while in a sultry smother.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Strange Case Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde 50 Through the muffle and smother of these fallen clouds.
b. A confused turmoil or welter of foam or water. Also const. of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > state of sea > [noun] > rough state or motion
roughc1400
troublesomeness1648
a bubble of a sea1839
smother1840
sea1927
milestone1946
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xviii. 170 We..brought the boat to in a smother of foam.
1888 R. L. Stevenson Black Arrow iii. v. 183 The horror of that great salt smother and welter under my foot here.
1890 W. C. Russell My Shipmate Louise II. xx. 108 It made one think..of the smother one falls in with on the edge of the Gulf-Stream.
c. A wild profusion of flowers, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > [noun] > a covering > complete or thick
smother1888
1888 Daily News 2 July 5/8 The smother of roses along the river fronts.
d. A smothered or indistinct noise.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > non-resonance > [noun] > deadening > deadened sound
muffle1886
smother1904
1904 H. B. M. Watson Hurricane Island i. 7 A smother of sound came to me, as if the swimmer was under water, and his voice stifled.
e. New Zealand. An incident in which sheep are lost by suffocation caused by others falling on top of them, as during a round-up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > manner of death > [noun] > death from suffocation or choking > of animals
overlayingc1384
smother1930
smothering1950
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > genus Ovus > [noun] > Ovus Aries (domestic sheep) > defined by habits or actions > smothering or being smothered
smother1930
1930 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs 1st Ser. vi. 128 They once had a bad smother there.
1930 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs 1st Ser. vi. 128 Mt. Peel was unlucky with smothers.
1933 L. G. D. Acland in Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) 2 Dec. 15/7 I believe there was a still worse smother [of sheep] on a station called Roxburgh in Otago.
1949 S. S. Crawford Sheep & Sheepmen of Canterbury v. 42 Mt. Peel [station] was unlucky with smothers [of sheep].
3. slang. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 34/1 A ‘lick-up’ is a boot or shoe re-lasted.., and the bottom covered with a ‘smother’.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 34/2 This ‘smother’ is obtained from the dust of the room.
4. Rugby. A high tackle in which the player ‘smothers’ (sense 3e) his opponent. In full smother-tackle.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > [noun] > actions or manoeuvres
scrimmaging1776
throw on1845
rush1857
catch1858
maul1860
touch1863
mauling1864
touch-in-goal1869
goal-kicking1871
throw-forward1871
sidestepping1877
handing1882
punting1882
heel1886
touch kicking1889
forward pass1890
scrumming1892
touch-finding1895
heeling1896
wheel1897
scrag1903
reverse pass1907
jinka1914
hand-off1916
play-the-ball1918
gather1921
pivot pass1922
sidestep1927
smother-tackle1927
stiff-arm1927
heel-back1929
scissors1948
rucking1949
loose scrummaging1952
cut-through1960
pivot break1960
put-in1962
chip kicking1963
box kicking1971
peel1973
chip and chase1976
tap penalty1976
1927 W. W. Wakefield & H. P. Marshall Rugger iv. 248 Hoping.. that by the swiftness of your advance you may get him in a smother-tackle, taking both man and ball.
1929 Illustr. Sporting & Dramatic News 19 Oct. 183 (caption) Getting the ball away from a smother.
1960 E. S. Higham & W. J. Higham High Speed Rugby v. 48 The Smother Tackle. This tackle is a high tackle and is used when you want to prevent a player from passing or touching down.
Compounds
smother-burned adj.
ΚΠ
1849 J. F. W. Johnston Exper. Agric. 265 Such burned sulphury shales (smother burned) may be tried with advantage.
smother-dangled adj.
ΚΠ
c1600 Pilgrimage i, in Three Parnassus Plays (1949) 98 Those Amorettoes that doe spend theire time In comminge of their smother dangled heyre.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
smotherv.
/ˈsmʌðə/, U.S. /ˈsməðər/ I. transitive.
1. figurative.1589 J. Lyly Pappe with Hatchet To Rdr. With the verie smoke the consciences of diuers are smothered.a1704 T. Brown 1st Satyr Persius Imitated in Wks. (1707) I. i. 79 By the thick Fogs, which from his Diet rise, His Sense is smother'd.1944 Flight 22 June 661/2 A blanket of bombs is dropped to smother the whole of the area.figurative.1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the First 8 Is it in the Flight of threescore years, To..Smother souls immortal in the Dust?1781 W. Cowper Truth 316 He begs their flatt'ry,..And, smother'd in't at last, is prais'd to death!1813 P. B. Shelley Falsehood & Vice in Queen Mab 50 She smothered Reason's babes in their birth.1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 472 I therefore used to smother those twins by leading the conversation off.absolute.1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vi. xlix. 152 I am Pestilence... I flit about, that I may slay and smother.
a. To suffocate with smoke.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by smothering or suffocation > with or of smoke
smothera1200
smore?a1513
worry1755
smook1825
charcoal1839
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > products of burning > [verb (transitive)] > emit (smoke) > suffocate with smoke
smokea1154
smothera1200
smore?a1513
a1200 [implied in: St. Marher. 9 In his ihurnd heauet..þreaste smeorðrinde smoke ut, smeeche forcuðest. (at smothering adj. 1a)].
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxv They were smothered with smoke and burnt all.
1579 Walsingham in Victoria Co. Hist., Surrey (1902) I. 391 A fyre made..by hunters that had earthed a badger, and thought to have smouthered him.
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia (1629) 85 But the poore Salvage..was so smoothered with the smoake he had made..that we found him dead.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 232 The House, which was by this Time all of a light Flame, fell in upon them, and they were smother'd or burnt together.
1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms at Smudge That the inky stream may smother or drive away mosquitoes.
b. To suffocate by the prevention of breathing; to deprive of life by suffocation. (Frequently in passive without implication of personal agency.) Also spec. of sheep, to suffocate others by falling on top of them, as during a round-up; to cause (sheep) to die in this manner (New Zealand).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by smothering or suffocation
smorec725
athrysmc885
stranglea1300
overliea1382
forliea1400
to stop the breath (more rarely the wind) ofc1400
overlayc1425
querken1440
smoulder1481
suffoke1490
stiflea1535
smoor1535
smother1548
suffocate1599
asphyxiate1835
asphyxy1843
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by smothering or suffocation > of sheep
smother1871
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > genus Ovus > [verb (transitive)] > suffocate others during round-up
smother1930
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lv [Certain criminals] thesame Richarde Hun felonyously strangeled and smodered.
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 51 The thirde was smothered in the water.
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis 221 They that escaped slaughter..were smother'd in the Mud.
1713 J. Addison Cato ii. vi The helpless traveller..smother'd in the dusty whirlwind dies.
1745 R. Pococke Descr. East II. i. vi. 27 Being surrounded, and almost smothered by the crowd.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci ii. i. 27 How just it were to..smother me when overcome by wine.
1863 M. E. Braddon Aurora Floyd II. v. 112 What does the chap in the play get for his trouble when the blackamoor smothers his wife?
1871 Lady M. A. Barker Christmas Cake in Four Quarters iv. iii. 290 I had to bring 'em [sc. the mob of sheep] down uncommon easy, for it was a nasty place, and I didn't want half of 'em to be smothered in the creek.
1930 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs 1st Ser. vi. 128 They once smothered 5000 in the gully.
a1948 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs (1951) 397 Run sheep..are very easy to s[mother] on broken hill ground... They s[mothere]d 1,200 once..at Mount Peel.
c. Used hyperbolically to denote an effusive welcome, etc., or the gaining of a complete or overwhelming victory.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > winning, losing, or scoring > win, lose, or score [verb (transitive)] > win > defeat
overplayc1460
smother1676
lurch1678
outplay1702
thrash1789
defeat1830
spreadeagle1832
thresh1852
whitewash1867
blank1870
annihilate1886
nip1893
slam1907
plaster1919
skittle1919
rip1927
maul1928
demolish1938
massacre1940
trounce1942
hammer1948
murder1952
to shut out1952
zilch1957
zip1964
trip1974
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use courteous actions or expressions to [verb (transitive)] > welcome > effusively
smother1676
(a)
(b)1890 Pall Mall Gaz. 1 Dec. 1/3 If there is one club more than another which Notts County would care to smother it is Aston Villa.1900 Westm. Gaz. 30 Mar. 2/2 They have simply smothered every scratch that has rowed against them.1676 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer iv. i She..smothered me with a thousand tasteless kisses.
1873 J. G. Holland Arthur Bonnicastle v. 98 In a moment I was smothered with welcome.
2. † a. To conceal by keeping silent about; to suppress all mention of, to hush up (a matter, etc.). Obsolete. (Now with up: see 6a.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keep from knowledge [verb (transitive)] > cover up
smother1579
to shuffle up1588
smother1589
smooth1592
smooth1592
slobber1630
to hush up1632
slubber1646
smooth1684
sopite1746
shade1785
smug1857
hugger-mugger1862
to cover up1926
1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue f. 70v I lyke not to smother sinnes.
1591 R. Greene Maidens Dreame ix Bribes could not make him any wrong to smother.
1642 J. Gauden 3 Serm. 48 As much as we defalk or smother of an inquired Truth.
1698 T. Hearne Ductor Historicus I. iii. xv. 354 Great Care has been taken to smother [1704 smother, 1714 smoother] his Name, but Theopompus..tells us, he was called Erostratus.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 203 Somebody's artifice in suppressing and smothering what he thinks makes against him.
1752 E. Young Brothers i. i [Her story was] Smother'd by the king; And wisely too.
b. To cover up, so as to conceal or cause to be forgotten.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > hide, conceal [verb (transitive)]
heeleOE
forhelec888
i-hedec888
dernc893
hidec897
wryOE
behelec1000
behidec1000
bewryc1000
forhidec1000
overheleOE
hilla1250
fealc1325
cover1340
forcover1382
blinda1400
hulsterc1400
overclosec1400
concealc1425
shroud1426
blend1430
close1430
shadow1436
obumber?1440
mufflea1450
alaynec1450
mew?c1450
purloin1461
to keep close?1471
oversilec1478
bewrap1481
supprime1490
occulta1500
silec1500
smoor1513
shadec1530
skleir1532
oppressa1538
hudder-mudder1544
pretex1548
lap?c1550
absconce1570
to steek away1575
couch1577
recondite1578
huddle1581
mew1581
enshrine1582
enshroud1582
mask1582
veil1582
abscondc1586
smotherc1592
blot1593
sheathe1594
immask1595
secret1595
bemist1598
palliate1598
hoodwinka1600
overmaska1600
hugger1600
obscure1600
upwrap1600
undisclose1601
disguise1605
screen1611
underfold1612
huke1613
eclipsea1616
encavea1616
ensconcea1616
obscurify1622
cloud1623
inmewa1625
beclouda1631
pretext1634
covert1647
sconce1652
tapisa1660
shun1661
sneak1701
overlay1719
secrete1741
blank1764
submerge1796
slur1813
wrap1817
buttress1820
stifle1820
disidentify1845
to stick away1900
the mind > mental capacity > memory > faulty recollection > recollect wrongly [verb (transitive)] > cause to be forgotten
smotherc1592
lose1670
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > cover and conceal
overwryeOE
hidec1374
forcover1382
veilc1384
overclosec1400
shroud1426
wimple1532
smotherc1592
encurtain1596
over-curtain1621
coverclea1631
bury1737
stifle1820
visor1872
becurtain1878
c1592 Faire Em sig. B2 Where neither enuious eyes nor thought can perce, But endlesse darknesse euer smother it.
1613 T. Jackson Eternall Truth Script. ii. 357 It was in their hearts, though hid and smothered in the wrinkles of their crooked hearts.
1643 R. Baker Chron. Kings of Eng. iv. 120 Richard Hooker,..who with too much meeknesse smoothered his great Learning.
1722 R. Steele Conscious Lovers i. ii I am afraid..there's some~thing I don't see yet, something that's smother'd under all this Raillery.
1863 A. W. Kinglake Invasion of Crimea I. vii. 94 So he began to turn this way and that, in order that by turmoil he might smother the past.
c. To repress, retain from displaying, (feeling, etc.) by the exercise of self-control.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > self-possession or self-control > control oneself or the emotions [verb (transitive)]
govern1340
sober1390
obtempera1492
refrain?1521
control1568
obtemperate1575
command1586
smother1594
subject1620
controla1627
possess1643
reduce1643
devour1650
stiflea1683
to wrestle down1808
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece Argt. sig. A2v Smoothering his passions for the present, [he] departed with the rest. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iv. i. 110 Your priuate grudge my Lord of York, wil out, Though ne're so cunningly you smother it. View more context for this quotation
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. iii. 52 Smothering his distast to avoyd the Saluages suspition.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. J. Albert de Mandelslo 245 in Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors The Gentleman..was a little troubled at it, but smother'd his indignation.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 263. ⁋6 Both your Sisters are crying to see the Passion which I smother.
1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab iii. 33 Smothering the glow of shame.
1847 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Peru II. iii. ix. 26 Almagro..had seemed willing to smother his ancient feelings of resentment towards his associate.
1891 E. Peacock Narcissa Brendon II. 101 She smothered her own grief.
3.
a. To cover up so as to prevent from having free play or development; to suppress or check in this way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > restriction of free action > restrict in free action [verb (transitive)] > prevent from free course or development
repressa1413
snub1583
smothera1616
stranglea1616
mither1847
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restriction or limitation > restrict or limit [verb (transitive)] > prevent from free course or development
repressa1413
snub1583
smothera1616
stranglea1616
throttle1825
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. iii. 140 Function is smother'd in surmise. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. ii. 35 My earthie grosse conceit: Smothred in errors. View more context for this quotation
1650 H. More Observ. in Enthusiasmus Triumphatus (1656) 108 You..by your slubbering and barbarous translating..smother the fitnesse of the Sense.
1762 W. Cowper To Miss Macartney 7 Dwells there a wish..To smother in ignoble rest At once both bliss and woe?
1780 Mirror No. 71 These exertions..would soon have been smothered by cold political prudence.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. i. 20 Ridicule..often checks what is absurd, and often smothers that which is noble.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxviii. 371 You may smother the disease while it is merely local.
1882 W. Ballantine Some Exper. Barrister's Life i. 9 Ability..smothered by pomposity and vulgar pride.
b. To prevent (words, etc.) from having full utterance; to render indistinct or silent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > impart specific tone or quality [verb (transitive)] > render indistinct
smother1601
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > mutter or mumble > render indistinct
smother1601
diffuse1608
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 164 The fore-teeth..yeeld a distinction and varietie in our words,..drawing them out at length, or smuddering and drowning them in the end.
1809 S. T. Coleridge Three Graves iv, in Friend 21 Sept. 95 No power Had she the words to smother.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 161 Contented she smother'd her sighs on his breast.
1832 D. Brewster Lett. Nat. Magic vii. 176 Suddenly the voice seemed smothered.
c. To stop (a cricket ball) by placing the bat more or less over it. Also in Association Football (see quot. 1954).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > association football > play association football [verb (transitive)] > actions to ball
smother1845
handle1869
middle1869
fist1909
volley1909
sidefoot1913
clear1947
convert1950
trap1950
square1972
welly1986
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > bat [verb (transitive)] > hit > hit with specific stroke
take1578
stop1744
nip1752
block1772
drive1773
cut1816
draw1816
tip1816
poke1836
spoon1836
mow1844
to put up1845
smother1845
sky1849
crump1850
to pick up1851
pull1851
skyrocket1851
swipe1851
to put down1860
to get away1868
smite1868
snick1871
lift1874
crack1882
smack1882
off-drive1888
snip1890
leg1892
push1893
hook1896
flick1897
on-drive1897
chop1898
glance1898
straight drive1898
cart1903
edge1904
tonk1910
sweep1920
mishook1934
middle1954
square-drive1954
tickle1963
square-cut1976
slash1977
splice1982
paddle1986
1845 N. Wanostrocht Felix on Bat i. iv. 18 Should it be pitched an inch too far, be sure to get out well at it, and smother it.
1889 Boy's Own Paper 4 May 496 How the twists should smothered be Before they reach the middle stump.
1954 F. C. Avis Soccer Ref. Dict. 112 Smother, to put oneself in the way of an opponent's shot, especially by the goalkeeper advancing from his goal towards the opponent.
1976 Northumberland Gaz. 26 Nov. His shot was smothered as the final whistle went.
d. Coursing. To oppress or overwhelm.
ΚΠ
1877 Coursing Cal. Autumn 1876 5 Donegal fairly smothered Death's Flight, running round him at all points.
e. Rugby. To tackle with a bear-like hug embracing the body and arms, preventing one's opponent from releasing the ball or touching it down.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > play rugby football [verb (transitive)] > actions to player
maul1856
tackle1884
to hand off1886
screw1887
sidestep1911
smother1920
stiff-arm1927
sprig1939
spear tackle1969
card1986
yellow card2011
1920 W. Camp Football without Coach vii. 132 Unless experience shows that there is a certain definite play to watch or a certain player to smother.
1928 Sunday Times 5 Feb. 24/7 He kicked well ahead on the slippery turf, and after Hunt had smothered the full-back, scored.
4.
a. To deaden or extinguish (fire, etc.) by covering so as to exclude the air; to cause to smoulder. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > extinguishing fire > extinguish (fire) [verb (transitive)] > choke or smother (a fire)
strangle?1527
choke1528
queasom1561
slake?1567
smothera1591
damp1706
stifle1726
a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 727 Many have smothered their light so long that the dampe hath put out the candle.
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 24 Smother the fire with wet clothes.
1657 R. Austen Spirituall Use of Orchard (new ed.) 143 Heat pent up, and smoothered for a time.
1758 A. Reid tr. P. J. Macquer Elements Theory & Pract. Chym. I. 141 If care be taken to smother them, so as to prevent their flaming while they burn.
1787 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 322 A fire, which, though smothered of necessity for the present moment, will probably never be quenched but by signal revenge.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. iv. iv. 199 A fiery fuliginous mass, which could not be choked and smothered, but would fill all France with smoke.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. xxxii. 444 I succeeded in smothering the fire.
b. To cook in a close vessel. (Cf. smore v. 4.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > cooking > cook [verb (transitive)] > cook in specific vessel
griddlec1430
smore1562
oven1688
smother1707
grill1728
scallop1737
jug1747
pot1808
pan1871
slow-cook1904
casserole1930
oven-cook1953
1707 G. Farquhar Beaux Stratagem i. 7 They'll eat much better smother'd with Onions.
1748 in G. W. T. Omond Arniston Mem. (1887) 108 Dinner... Roast goose. Smothered rabbits.
5. To cover up, cover over, densely or thickly by some thing or substance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > thickly or overwhelmingly
mat1577
farce1582
smothera1592
smother1598
overlay1993
1598 E. Guilpin Skialetheia sig. B4 To..shew good legs, spite of slops-smothering thies.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxi. 113 In a few minutes the sails [were] smothered and kept in by clewlines and buntlines.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 34/2 When dry and finished, we take what is called a ‘soft-heel-ball’ and ‘smother’ it over.
1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xxi. 297 The small stations we passed were smothered in green foliage.
6. With up:
a. To conceal, suppress, hush up (a matter, etc.). Cf. sense 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keep from knowledge [verb (transitive)] > cover up
smother1579
to shuffle up1588
smother1589
smooth1592
smooth1592
slobber1630
to hush up1632
slubber1646
smooth1684
sopite1746
shade1785
smug1857
hugger-mugger1862
to cover up1926
1589 J. Lyly Pappe with Hatchet B iv b Hee woulde not smoother vp sinne, and deale in hugger mugger against his Conscience.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης ix. 80 The suspected Poysoning of his Father, not inquir'd into, but smother'd up.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Qqq3/1 The Business was smothered up.
1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. II. i. 23 It was thought best to smother it up at the time.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island ii. xiii. 106 He's as anxious as you and I to smother things up.
b. To cover up in a close, dense, or suffocating manner, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > thickly or overwhelmingly
mat1577
farce1582
smothera1592
smother1598
overlay1993
a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. H3 A Nunne,..twere injurie to me. To smother vp such bewtie in a cell.
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. Gv And, there [the snail] all smoothred vp, in shade doth sit. View more context for this quotation
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iv. §13. 391 This fire..lay..smothered up.
1645 J. Fary Gods Severity 23 The Lords wrath lies long smothered up, but at the last it kindles.
1820 J. Keats Hyperion: a Fragm. i, in Lamia & Other Poems 151 I am smother'd up, And buried from all godlike exercise.
7. With down, out (see quots.). rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > crush, stifle, or overwhelm (feelings, etc.)
shendOE
whelvec1000
allayOE
ofdrunkenc1175
quenchc1175
quashc1275
stanchc1315
quella1325
slockena1340
drenchc1374
vanquishc1380
stuffa1387
daunt?a1400
adauntc1400
to put downa1425
overwhelmc1425
overwhelvec1450
quatc1450
slockc1485
suppressa1500
suffocate1526
quealc1530
to trample under foot1530
repress1532
quail1533
suppress1537
infringe1543
revocate1547
whelm1553
queasom1561
knetcha1564
squench1577
restinguish1579
to keep down1581
trample1583
repel1592
accable1602
crush1610
to wrestle down?1611
chokea1616
stranglea1616
stifle1621
smother1632
overpower1646
resuppress1654
strangulate1665
instranglea1670
to choke back, down, in, out1690
to nip or crush in the bud1746
spiflicate1749
squasha1777
to get under1799
burke1835
to stamp out1851
to trample down1853
quelch1864
to sit upon ——1864
squelch1864
smash1865
garrotte1878
scotch1888
douse1916
to drive under1920
stomp1936
stultify1958
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. viii. 371 The..ingeniosity of their best styles..is ecclipsed, and smothered downe.
1863 Gardeners' Chron. 23 May 493 The next year it may be noticed that the wished for crop has been smothered out.
II. intransitive.
8. To be suffocated or stifled; to be prevented from breathing freely by smoke or other means.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > manner of death > die in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > die of suffocation or choking
strangle1338
smore1488
smoor1508
smotherc1528
to choke up1555
stifle1594
throttle1655
suffocate1702
quackle1806
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > have or cause breathing disorder [verb (intransitive)] > become short of breath > choke
choke?a1400
worrya1500
smotherc1528
gulp1530
stifle1594
to stop one's nose, nostrils1697
c1528 Everyman (1961) 796 What, sholde I smoder here?
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Ick Smoore van den roock, I Smoother with the smoake, or, I am Choaked with the Vapour.
1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust II. v. iv. 353 Ah, the good old father, mother,..Doomed amid the smoke to smother!
1895 Cent. Mag. Aug. 628/2 One opinion was that he would not go into his hole because he was too hot and would smother.
9.
a. To smoulder; to burn slowly. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or be on fire [verb (intransitive)] > burn without flame
smoulder1529
smother1600
smore1651
smudge1825
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique iii. lv. 558 Set on fire a quantitie of haye, after quench it againe by and by,..and whiles it is smoothering and smoaking, spread it vpon a plate of iron.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 29 July (1974) VIII. 358 The fire..lies smothering a great while..before it flames.
1729 G. Adams tr. Sophocles Antigone iv. i, in tr. Sophocles Trag. II. 56 The Fire shone not from the Sacrifices, but in the Ashes the Flame smothered.
1804 Naval Chron. 11 79 She will burn and smother to the Water's edge.
1825 E. Hewlett Cottage Comforts vi. 42 Let the fire be banked up..with turves, which will smother on for hours.
1881– in dialect use (Notts., Leic., Warw.).
b. figurative or in figurative context.
ΚΠ
1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 447/1 He will not haue our sinns couered, and lie smothering so, yt they may not be knowen.
1588 R. Greene Pandosto sig. A4v These..thoughtes a long time smoothering in his stomacke, beganne at last to kindle..a secret mistrust.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 357 Heere began the harme to smother like wet hay in fire.
1679 R. Mansell Exact & True Narr. Late Popish Intrigue 5 When their old animosity did yet smoother.
1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 62 A Man had better talk to a Post, than let his Thoughts lie Smoking and Smothering in his Head.
c. To die out in smoulder. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (intransitive)] > devour or consume (of fire, etc.) > be devoured or consumed (by fire, zeal, etc.)
to burn away?c1225
consumec1425
fire1565
smother1621
incinerate1800
to go up in smoke1933
1621 T. W. tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard 63 The heate of passions in youth beginning to coole and smoother out in old men.
10. Of smoke: To escape slowly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > of something confined > slowly (of smoke)
smother1725
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 91 We saw a Smoke indeed in the House, rather than come out of it; and it smother'd thro' a Hole in the Roof instead of a Chimney.
11. Boxing. (See quot. 1954.)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > box [verb (intransitive)] > actions
lunge1809
weave1818
counter1857
lead1895
slip1897
unload1912
smother1916
to bob and weave1928
1916 J. B. Cooper Coo-oo-ee xi. 156 Jack glued his chin to his chest and ‘smothered’, watching his opportunity to in-fight.
1954 F. C. Avis Boxing Ref. Dict. 103 Smother, to prevent, by clever positioning of the arms, the development of an opponent's attack.
Derivatives
ˈsmotherable adj. that may be smothered.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > [adjective] > smothering or smothered > smotherable
smotherable1824
1824 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 16 664 A woman who is not over fastidious in all her personal arrangements..is to me the most justifiably smotherable.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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