smother etymology

Etymology:

• Old English smoþrian meaning "to suffocate"
• Proto-Germanic *smudra-
• Proto-Indo-European *smud-

Meaning:

• To kill or suffocate by covering or blocking the nose and mouth
• To stifle or suppress
• To overwhelm or show excessive affection towards someone

Origin:

The word "smother" originally meant "to suffocate by covering the nose and mouth." It is thought to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root smud-, which means "to smoke" or "to choke." This root is also found in the Latin word fumare meaning "to smoke" and the English word "smolder."

Over time, the meaning of "smother" expanded to include the metaphorical sense of "to stifle" or "to suppress." It can also be used to describe excessive or overwhelming affection, such as "smothering someone with kisses."

smother relate terms

• smolder

  Etymology Old English smorian to smother from Proto Germanic smerwaz Cognates in oth

• muddle

  Etymology The word muddle is derived from the Middle English word modlen which means

• fuddle

  Etymology Middle English fudlen fudlen from Old English fudelian gefydelian to bec

• surround

  Etymology The word surround originates from the Old French word suronder meaning to

• stifle

  Etymology Old English stefelan Proto Germanic stuflijaną Proto Indo European

• oppress

  Etymology From Middle English oppressen from Old French oppresser from Late Latin opp

• put out

  Etymology Put verb Middle English putten from Old English putian potian to pl

• inhibit

  Etymology The word inhibit originates from the Latin word inhibere which means to

• repress

  Etymology The word repress originates from the Latin prefix re meaning back or

• suppress

  Etymology The word suppress derives from the Latin word supprimere meaning to press

• curb

  Meaning A word or phrase that has been altered in pronunciation and meaning by folk etymo