Strangle

(străng'gl), v. t. [imp. & p. p. STRANGLED; p. pr. & vb. n. STRANGLING.] [O. Fr. estrangler, N. Fr. étrangler, Pr. stranglar, estranglar, estrangolar, Sp. & Pg. estrangular, It. strangolare, Lat. strangulare, Gr. στραγγαλάω, στραγγαλίζειν, from στραγγάλη, a halter, from στραγγαλίζειν, to draw or bind tight, to squeeze, Lat. stringere.]

1Sense 1. To destroy the life of by stopping respiration; to suffocate; to choke. Our Saxon ancestors compelled the adulteress to strangle herself. Ayliffe.

2Sense 2. To hinder from birth or appearance; to suppress.

The act of strangling; strangulation. [Obs.]