Category:Stifle

Sti"fle, n. Etym: [from stiff.] (far.)

Defn: 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.

Stifle Sti"fle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stifled; p. pr. & vb. n. Stifling.] Etym: [freq. of oe. stif stiff; cf. Icel. stifla 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.

Stifle Sti"fle, v. i.

Defn: to die by reason of obstruction of the breath, or because some Noxious substance prevents respiration. You shall stifle in your own report. Shak.