stifle
stifle Lexical Profile
stifle Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To restrain, hold back, or stop oneself from expressing a reaction, emotion, or sound (such as a yawn, laugh, or sob).
"She had to stifle a yawn during the lengthy afternoon lecture."
To prevent or constrain an activity, idea, or process from continuing or developing freely.
"Excessive bureaucracy and rigid rules can easily stifle creativity in the workplace."
To make someone unable to breathe properly, or to feel suffocated due to intense heat or a lack of fresh air.
"Those inside the crowded train carriage began to stifle as the air conditioning failed."
• noun
A joint in the hind leg of a horse, dog, or other quadruped mammal, corresponding anatomically to the human knee and joining the femur, patella, and tibia.
"The veterinarian carefully examined the horse's right stifle after noticing a slight stiffness in its gait."
• Rhymes for stifle
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating back to the late 14th century as Middle English 'stuflen', the word likely represents an alteration of Old French 'estouffer' (to choke or smother) blended with Old Norse 'stifla' (to dam up or block).