stifle etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English: "stefelan"
  • Proto-Germanic: "*stuflijaną"
  • Proto-Indo-European: "*stāpʰ-" (to stand firm)

Meaning and Origin:

"Stifle" originally referred to the part of the leg between the knee and the hip, particularly the thigh or upper hind leg of an animal. It is related to the word "stiff," as the stifle joint is a strong, stable joint that helps support the body weight.

Over time, "stifle" acquired figurative meanings related to suppressing or holding back something:

  • To suppress or restrain: To prevent something from happening or being expressed.
  • To choke or suffocate: To hinder or prevent breathing.
  • To put an end to: To stop or terminate something.

The use of "stifle" in these contexts reflects its original meaning of "to hold firm or in place." By suppressing something, we are effectively "holding it down" or preventing it from moving forward.

stifle relate terms

  • stop

    Etymology The word stop comes from the Middle English word stoppen which itself deri

  • stuff

    Etymology The word stuff has Proto Germanic roots and is related to words like stopfen

  • stop

    Etymology The word stop comes from the Middle English word stoppen which itself deri

  • knee

    Etymology The English word knee comes from the Old English word cneo or cnow which

  • choke

    Etymology The word choke has a complex etymological history originating from multiple

  • smother

    Etymology Old English smoþrian meaning to suffocate Proto Germanic smudra Proto In

  • suffocation

    Etymology From Middle English suffocation from Old French suffocation from Late Latin

  • suppress

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

  • articulation

    Etymology Articulation Derived from the Latin word articulatus which means jointed

  • obstruct

    Etymology The word obstruct comes from the Latin word obstruere which means to bloc

  • keen

    Etymology The word keen derives from the Old English word cēne meaning bold brave

  • 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