stiflen.1
/ˈstʌɪf(ə)l/ 1. The joint at the junction of the hind leg and the body (between the femur and the tibia) in a horse or other quadruped: corresponding anatomically to the knee in man.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > body and limbs > [noun] > limb > fore limb or leg > joint corresponding to knee
stiflec1330
stifle-joint1566
stifling-place1566
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 487 [With reference to cutting up a deer.] To þe stifles he ȝede And euen ato hem schare.
1566 T. Blundeville Order curing Horses Dis. f. 88v, in Fower Offices Horsemanshippe If a horse halte behynd the griefe must eyther be in the hyppe, in the stiffle, in the houghe [etc.].
1717 Dict. Rusticum (ed. 2) Gascoin, the hinder Thigh of a Horse, which begins at the Stiffle.
1882 Daily Tel. 26 Oct. 3/6 Although kicked in the stifle..and badly lamed, Althotas repeated his Tuesday's victory.
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 329/2 (Dogs) Stifle, the joint in a dog's hind leg next to the buttock; the hip joint.
1907 Q. Rev. Jan. 204 The size of the bone at the ankles and stifles being particularly important [in the foxhound].
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [noun] > disorders of legs > dislocation
stifle1566
stifling1566
hipping1610
stifle-slip1908
heel bug1920
1566 T. Blundeville Order curing Horses Dis. f. 90v, in Fower Offices Horsemanshippe The styffle commeth by meanes of some syde blowe, or some greate strayne slypping or slyding.
1587 L. Mascall Bk. Cattell: Horses (1596) 124 For a stiffle in the heele of a horse.
Compounds
stifle-bone n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [noun] > leg > hindleg > patella
stifling-bone1566
stifle-bone1610
stifle-panc1720
stifle-cap1908
1610 G. Markham Maister-peece ii. lxxii. 338 If the horse be stifled, the stifle bone will sticke out more of the one side then of the other.
1678 London Gaz. No. 1321/4 With a white speck on the stifle bone on the far side.
1908Stifle cap [see stifle-cap n.]. stifle-cap n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [noun] > leg > hindleg > patella
stifling-bone1566
stifle-bone1610
stifle-panc1720
stifle-cap1908
1908 Animal Managem. (War Office) 334 Stifle slip, dislocation of the stifle cap.
stifle-pan n. the patella of a horse, the bone in front of the stifle-joint.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [noun] > leg > hindleg > patella
stifling-bone1566
stifle-bone1610
stifle-panc1720
stifle-cap1908
c1720 W. Gibson Farriers New Guide i. vi. 111 A small Bone somewhat round, called the Patella or Stifle-pan.
stifle-joint n. = sense 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > body and limbs > [noun] > limb > fore limb or leg > joint corresponding to knee
stiflec1330
stifle-joint1566
stifling-place1566
1566 T. Blundeville Order curing Horses Dis. f. 89, in Fower Offices Horsemanshippe If the griefe be in the stiffle, then the horse in his going will cast the stiffle ioynt outwarde.
1888 MacFadyean Comp. Anat. Dom. Anim. i. 197 The stifle joint corresponds to the knee of the human subject. The bones that enter into its formation are the femur, the tibia, and the patella.
1893 Earl of Dunmore Pamirs II. 75 I..fired at the last ram, hitting him in the last leg, breaking it at the stifle joint.
stifle-slip n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [noun] > disorders of legs > dislocation
stifle1566
stifling1566
hipping1610
stifle-slip1908
heel bug1920
1908 Animal Managem. (War Office) 334 Stifle slip, dislocation of the stifle cap.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
stiflen.2
/ˈstʌɪf(ə)l/ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > [noun] > shortness of breath > asthma
asthmaa1398
pirrea1398
stifle1398
phthisicness1539
asthmasy1599
status asthmaticus1892
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum iii. xv. (Tollemache MS.) As in hem þat haue þe pirre and styffles and ben pursyf and þikke breþid [L. ut patet in asthmaticis et anhelosis].
2. The fact of stifling or the condition of being stifled. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > [noun] > shortness of breath > choking or asphyxiation
chokingc1440
prefocation1684
stifling1711
gulping1733
frost-bitten asphyxy1822
stifle1823
choke1839
chokiness1844
gulp1873
1823 C. Lamb in London Mag. Dec. 613/2 Life meantime was ebbing fast away, amidst the stifle of conflicting judgments.
1825 S. T. Coleridge Lett., Conversat., & Recoll. (1836) II. 188 I was ever in a stifle of my reflected anxieties.
1904 Westm. Gaz. 2 Nov. 1/3 The smell of trodden sods mingles with the stifle of all these poor unwashed folk in the warm moist air.
3. (See quot. 1886.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > gas > [noun] > fumes or vapour > explosive gas in mines
dampa1592
firedamp1662
fire1672
wildfire1672
fulminating damp1675
dirt1831
sulphur1851
stifle1886
1886 J. Barrowman Gloss. Sc. Mining Terms 64 Stifle, noxious gas resulting from an underground fire.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
stiflev.1
/ˈstʌɪf(ə)l/ 1.
a. transitive. To kill by stopping respiration; to kill or deprive of consciousness (a person or animal) by covering the mouth and nose, by depriving of pure air or by introducing an irrespirable vapour into the throat and lungs; to suffocate. †Also with up.
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
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 68/2 So..keping down by force the..pillowes hard vnto their mouthes, that within a while smored and stifled, theyr breath failing, thei gaue vp to god their innocent soules.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cljv Other write, that he was stiffeled or smoldered betwene twoo fetherbeddes.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Li/1 To Stifil, suffocare.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias 65 There is no covering to defend the sunne, whereon with the same only men are stiffeled up. [margin.] Men stifled with the Sunne onely.
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iv. iii. 32 What if I should be stifled in the Toomb? View more context for this quotation
1665 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 1 44 Fearing to be stifled by the bad Air.
1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry (1721) I. 326 You may smoke or stifle them [wasps] if they are in a hollow Tree.
1755 T. Gray Let. 18 Oct. in Corr. (1971) I. 441 A dirty inconvenient lodgeing, where perhaps my nurse might stifle me with a pillow.
1834 J. W. Croker in Croker Papers 11 June (1884) II One poor little boy..was nearly stifled.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. App. 647 For fear of a tumult the King has Eadric at once stifled to death.
b. In hyperbolic or exaggerated use. Sometimes = to affect with difficulty of breathing, produce a choking sensation in.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > have or cause breathing disorder [verb (transitive)] > choke
stranglea1300
chokec1380
worrya1400
stiflec1400
to stop the breath (more rarely the wind) ofc1400
scomfishc1480
to choke up1555
grane1613
suffocatea1616
c1400 Brut 138 Þere was grete hete…þat al stuffled himself was, & felle into a grete sikenesse.
1585 R. Greene Planetomachia i. sig. C3 The Caspians fearinge to bee stiffled with sweet sauors, weare in their bosomes buds of Hemlock.
1592 Arden of Feversham iv. ii. 35 I am almost stifled with this fog.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iv. i. 59 I am stifled With the meere ranknesse of their ioy. View more context for this quotation
1625 in W. Foster Eng. Factories India (1909) 56 To pack and stiffle us togeather into close and aireles, unholsom corners.
1767 P. Gibbes Woman of Fashion I. 41 Bundled up in a green Cloth Joseph, enough to stifle the poor Child in this warm Weather.
1824 L.-M. Hawkins Annaline I. 87 They..found the Baronet nearly stifled with laughing.
1832 H. Martineau Ireland ii. 23 He almost stifled her with caresses.
c. absol.
ΚΠ
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 313 But prayer against his absolute Decree No more availes then breath against the winde, Blown stifling back on him that breaths it forth. View more context for this quotation
1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in Enoch Arden, etc. 82 A breathless burthen of low-folded heavens Stifled and chill'd at once.
d. figurative.
ΚΠ
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 39v When loue tickleth thee decline it lest it stiffle thee.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State v. xi. 398 The Anabaptists in like manner stifle Gods Church by crowding it into their corner.
1878 B. Taylor Prince Deukalion ii. iv. 79 Breathing high thoughts unconsciously as air; Without them stifled!
a. To choke by compressing the windpipe; to strangle, throttle. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by strangling
aworryc885
achokeOE
astrangle1297
strangle13..
worry14..
choke1303
weary1340
gnarec1380
athroatc1400
enstranglec1400
gagc1440
throttlec1450
estrangle1483
stifle1548
snarl1563
thrapple1570
quackle1622
bowstring1803
scrag1823
strangulate1846
mug1866
to screw a person's neck1872
garrotte1878
guzzle1885
to screw an animal's neck1888
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Oblido,..to styfle, to kyll.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. vii [Him] they condemned to be hanged & stifled vpon the maste of the gallie.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > render physically insensible [verb (transitive)] > by pressure
stifle1548
1548 [implied in: W. Patten Exped. Scotl. Pref. sig. c vjv (margin) Cast in a deadly slumber with a stifelinge, & benumminge of al partes. (at stifling n.1 1)].
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. v. 205 I would often fetch a walke, to stretch my legs, that were stifled with a stumbling beast.
ΚΠ
1578 [implied in: H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball v. xxxviii. 602 The seede of wilde Carrot..is very good agaynst the suffocation and stiflinges of the Matrix. (at stifling n.1 1)].
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by smothering or suffocation > a plant
choke1526
stifle1530
starve1866
1530 W. Tyndale Pract. Prelates sig. Cviijv [The ivy] waxeth greate..and sucketh the moystoure so sore out of the tre and his braunches, that it choketh and stifleth them.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by drowning
adrenchOE
drunkenc1175
ofdrunkenc1175
drenchc1200
drowna1300
drenklea1325
drunka1375
stiflea1387
drinkc1425
overfleetc1425
bishop1840
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 449 A monke..fil doun of a brigge into a water, and was i-stufled [v.r. y-stoffed; L. suffocatus est].
1582 Bible (Rheims) Mark v. 13 The heard..were stifled in the sea.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. xxx. iv. 377 The hony wherein a number of bees were stifled and killed.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 509 There are other kind of moustraps which do ketch mice aliue: and othersome which do kil them, either being..stifeld with water, or otherwise.
1624 Relat. Cruel Proc. Amboyna 11 Being a little recouered, they..poured in the water as before, eftsoones taking him downe as he seemed to be stifled.
1705 tr. W. Bosman New Descr. Coast of Guinea xviii. 346 She despairing threw her self into a deep Well, in which she was stifled.
4. † b. To repress, keep back, check the flow of (tears).
a. To stop the passage of (the breath); to suppress, prevent the emission of, choke in the utterance (the voice, a cry, sob, cough, etc.). Also poetic with up. Also in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > taciturnity or reticence > refrain from uttering [verb (transitive)] > silence or prevent from speaking
to stop a person's mouthc1175
stilla1225
to keep ina1420
stifle1496
to knit up1530
to muzzle (up) the mouth1531
choke1533
muzzle?1542
to tie a person's tongue1544
tongue-tiea1555
silence1592
untongue1598
to reduce (a person or thing) to silence1605
to bite in1608
gaga1616
to swear downa1616
to laugh down1616
stifle1621
to cry down1623
unworda1627
clamour1646
splint1648
to take down1656
snap1677
stick1708
shut1809
to shut up1814
to cough down1823
to scrape down1855
to howl down1872
extinguish1878
hold1901
shout1924
to pipe down1926
1496 Epit. Iaspar Late Duke of Beddeforde (Pynson) sig. aiv Dredeful deth..Ful dolorously his breth hath stifild.
1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love iii. v. sig. F3v Then (stifling a sigh or two, and closing your lippes)..you aduance your selfe forward. View more context for this quotation
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. i. sig. A4v I was not borne..To choake and stifle vp my pleasures breath.
1665 R. Howard & J. Dryden Indian-queen v, in R. Howard Four New Plays 168 Name thy bold love no more, lest that last breath Which shou'd forgive, I stifle with my death.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 158. ⁋4 As if she would if possible stifle her Laughter.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 200 I did not endeavour to stifle my cough.
a1770 J. Jortin Serm. (1771) II. iii. 47 Men..take pains to..stifle the reproofs of their conscience.
1837 B. Disraeli Venetia I. 198 Cadurcis tried to stifle a sob.
1857 C. M. Yonge Cameos xlii, in Monthly Packet Aug. 122 His last cry, ere the flames stifled his voice.
1885 Manch. Examiner 12 Sept. 5/2 He attempted to raise an alarm, but they stifled his cries.
1902 J. Buchan Watcher by Threshold iv. 250 Stifling the voice of conscience.
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
a1683 P. Warwick Mem. Reign Charles I (1701) 326 I never saw him shed tears but once,..but he recollected himselfe, and soon stifled them.
1797 E. Inchbald Wives as they Were i. i. 20 They'll suppose I have been more indiscreet [stifling her tears] than I really have.
c. To make mute or inaudible through intervening space or obstructing medium.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > inaudibility > make inaudible [verb (transitive)]
stifle1833
1833 H. Martineau Charmed Sea i. 4 Our voices were stifled in space.
1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason iii. 54 The man whose shout the close Nemean trees Had stifled.
1891 R. Kipling Light that Failed v. 83 The fog..stifled the roar of the traffic of London beyond the railings.
5. In various figurative uses.
a. To suppress, smother, keep from manifestation, expression, or activity (a feeling, passion, internal faculty, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keep from knowledge [verb (transitive)] > thoughts, feelings, etc.
stifle1610
pocket1704
bottlea1711
coy1873
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 428 Their former pietie was after a maner stifled.
1654 Bp. J. Taylor Real Presence 26 It is an usual device amongst their writers to stifle their reason.
1788 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall V. xlviii. 26 In the mind of Irene, ambition had stifled every sentiment of humanity.
1837 A. Alison Hist. Europe from French Revol. VI. xlviii. 495 The discontent of Melzi..was stifled by the title of Duke of Lodi.
1876 J. B. Mozley Serm. preached Univ. of Oxf. xv. 258 The higher mind in us is stifled and gives way to the lower.
b. To destroy, crush, suppress, deprive of vitality, prevent the working or spreading of (a movement, activity, measure, etc.); †to silence (a person, objection).
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
the mind > language > speech > taciturnity or reticence > refrain from uttering [verb (transitive)] > silence or prevent from speaking
to stop a person's mouthc1175
stilla1225
to keep ina1420
stifle1496
to knit up1530
to muzzle (up) the mouth1531
choke1533
muzzle?1542
to tie a person's tongue1544
tongue-tiea1555
silence1592
untongue1598
to reduce (a person or thing) to silence1605
to bite in1608
gaga1616
to swear downa1616
to laugh down1616
stifle1621
to cry down1623
unworda1627
clamour1646
splint1648
to take down1656
snap1677
stick1708
shut1809
to shut up1814
to cough down1823
to scrape down1855
to howl down1872
extinguish1878
hold1901
shout1924
to pipe down1926
1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 102 The proviso for the prynters styfles the proviso for corporacions.
1668 R. Steele Husbandmans Calling (1672) v. 76 Let not your faith stifle your industry.
1693 J. Edwards Disc. conc. Old & New-Test. I. xiii. 410 I will stifle this cavelling Objection.
1705 London Gaz. No. 4168/2 This Insurrection was stifled in its very beginning.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. 7 As it was my duty to stifle this correspondence in its birth.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. xii. 671 It was a prolonged and systematic attempt to stifle all enquiry and punish all inquirers.
a1873 E. O. M. Deutsch Lit. Remains (1874) 172 The Koran for a time seemed to stifle all literature.
1884 Liverpool Mercury 22 Oct. 5/3 This..is the very way to stifle all efforts.
c. To conceal, keep from becoming known, withhold from circulation or currency, suppress (a fact, report, truth, etc.; a document, letter).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keeping from publication > keep concealed [verb (transitive)] > refrain or prevent from publishing
suppress1533
stifle1577
pocketa1616
censorize1860
censor1882
1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande vii. f. 26 v/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I When hys [sc. Plunket's] workes shall take the ayre, that now..are wrongfully emprisoned, and in maner stiefled in shadowed cowches.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. v. §2 The other rank of those which were left to Gods hand consisted of these. 1. He that stifles and smothers his own prophecy, as Jonas did.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 103 When complaints are brought to Court against any Chan, he lets them come to the King's Ear if the Chan be his Enemy, or stiffles them if the Chan be his friend.
1700 W. Congreve Way of World v. i. 73 We stifl'd the Letter before she read so far.
1712 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 383 That Dr. Mill made a Will, and that Langhorn, or some body else, stifled it.
a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) iii. 153 The Papers.., he thought..of too much value to be stifled, and advis'd the Printing of them.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth iii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. II. 96 The rumour may stifle the truth for a short time.
d. To cover up so as to conceal from view or prevent display. poetic.
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 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
1820 J. Keats Hyperion: a Fragm. i, in Lamia & Other Poems 159 The shady visions come to domineer, Insult, and blind, and stifle up my pomp.
6. † b. To extinguish or quench (a physical quality).
a. To smother or extinguish (a flame).
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
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. v. 89 I might easily have stifled it [sc. the flame] with my Coat.
1851 Hazlitt tr. Huc Tartary (1856) xvi. 401 All the travellers, armed with felt carpets, were endeavouring to stifle the flame.
1895 ‘G. Mortimer’ Tales Western Moors 260 The smoke is choking and pungent, as it jets out through the damp, black earth that ‘stiffles’, or stifles, the flames.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)]
to bring to noughteOE
forspillc893
fordilghec900
to bring to naughtOE
astryea1200
stroyc1200
forferec1275
misdoa1325
destroyc1330
naught1340
dingc1380
beshenda1400
devoida1400
unshapea1400
to wend downa1400
brittenc1400
unloukc1400
perishc1426
defeat1435
unmake1439
lithc1450
spend1481
kill1530
to shend ofc1540
quade1565
to make away1566
discreate1570
wrake1570
wracka1586
unwork1587
gaster1609
defease1621
unbe1624
uncreate1633
destructa1638
naufragate1648
stifle1725
stramash1788
disannul1794
destructify1841
locust1868
to knock out1944
dick1972
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Salt The Salt made White in this manner is not so salt as the Grey, because the Fire has stifled many of its Points.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > put out or extinguish fire, pain, etc.
aquenchc1000
adweschOE
quenchc1175
extinct?a1475
out1502
dead1611
stifle1629
kill1934
the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > stop the movement of > cause to be arrested or intercepted in progress
warna1250
foreclosec1290
dit1362
stayc1440
stopc1440
set1525
suppress1547
bar1578
frontier1589
stay1591
intercepta1599
to cut off1600
interpose1615
lodgea1616
obstruct1621
stifle1629
sufflaminate1656
stick1824
to hold up1887
1629 H. C. Disc. Drayning Fennes sig. B4 The riuers [being] stifled with weedes for want of a current.
1704 I. Newton Opticks i. ii. 140 They [sc. coloured bodies] stop and stifle in themselves the rays which they do not reflect or transmit.
1785 J. Imison School of Arts (1790) I. 194 Its back part is black, to stifle the rays that are reflected upon it.
1794 W. Herschel in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 85 54 I found, that by stifling a great part of the solar rays, my object speculum would bear a greater aperture.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close by obstruction or block up
fordita800
forstop?c1225
estopa1420
accloy1422
ferma1522
clam1527
quar1542
cloy1548
dam1553
occlude1581
clog1586
impeach1586
bung1589
gravel1602
impediment1610
stifle1631
foul1642
obstipate1656
obturate1657
choke1669
blockade1696
to flop up1838
jama1865
to ball up1884
gunge1976
1631 J. Shirley Traytor (1635) iii. i. E 2 Make fast the Chamber-doore, stiffle the keyhole and the crannies, I must discourse of secret matters.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > give secretly or surreptitiously
stifle1604
slip1841
1604 T. Middleton Ant & Nightingale sig. D2 With that they stifeled two or three Angels in the lawyers right hand.
10. † b. figurative. Of a person or an immaterial thing.
a. intransitive. To be or become suffocated; to perish by stoppage of breath. In weaker sense: To feel in danger of suffocation, to feel almost unable to breathe.
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
1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. II. 363 We cary about vs infinite causes and meanes, whereby we are euery houre in danger of stifling, and as it were of drowning.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre I. xv. 279 I was just beginning to stifle with the fumes of conservatory flowers and sprinkled essences.
1857 J. Hamilton Lessons from Great Biogr. (1859) 314 To feel the breath stifling and the heart-strings breaking.
1902 Westm. Gaz. 26 Mar. 2/1 Others cannot remain in an atmosphere that is not constantly replenished with fresh oxygen; they stifle.
ΚΠ
1588 T. Hughes Misfortunes Arthur i. i. 14 What though..the shame thou suffredst for his lusts, Reboundeth backe, and stifeleth in his stocke?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. iv. 158 My vnsoild name..Will so your accusation ouer-weigh, That you shall stifle in your owne report [printed reporr] . View more context for this quotation
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
stiflev.2
/ˈstʌɪf(ə)l/ Farriery.
transitive. To affect (a horse, dog, etc.) with stifle or dislocation of the stifle-bone. Chiefly in passive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of animals generally > cause disorder of animals generally [verb (transitive)] > dislocate
stifle1566
1566 T. Blundeville Order curing Horses Dis. f. 90v, in Fower Offices Horsemanshippe The Horse is sayd to be styffled, when the styffling bone is remoued from his right place. But if it be not remoued nor losened, and yet the Horse halteth by meanes of some grief ther, then we say that the horse is hurt in the stiffle, and not styffled.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice vii. 77 If hee halt behinde, he is hipped or stiffled, if hee be hipped hee is past cure, if stifled [etc.].
1685 Dangerfield's Mem. 32 I went..thence to Ashfield, where I Stifled my Horse.
1859 ‘The Druid’ Silk & Scarlet iv. 325 But we are forgetting Tarquin [a foxhound], who became stifled at Berkeley.
Derivatives
ˈstifled adj.
ΚΠ
1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman ii. xviii. 336 Take a cord and fasten it to the pasterne of the stifled legge.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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