suffocate etymology

Etymology

The word "suffocate" comes from the Latin word "suffocare," which means "to choke." It is derived from the prefix "sub-," meaning "under," and the verb "focus," meaning "to choke."

Meaning

Suffocate means to die or be unable to breathe due to lack of oxygen. It can also refer to a feeling of being smothered or overwhelmed.

Origin

The earliest known use of the word "suffocate" in English dates back to the 14th century. It was originally used to describe the act of choking or strangling someone. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include the broader sense of not being able to breathe.

Usage

The word "suffocate" is often used in a literal sense to describe the act of dying or being unable to breathe. It can also be used figuratively to describe a feeling of being overwhelmed or suffocated.

Examples

  • The victim was suffocated by the smoke from the fire.
  • I'm suffocating in this room.
  • The weight of expectations is suffocating me.

suffocate relate terms

  • suffocation

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

  • faucet

    Etymology The word faucet is derived from the Old French word faucet which in turn

  • stifle

    Etymology Old English stefelan Proto Germanic stuflijaną Proto Indo European

  • choke

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

  • 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

  • smolder

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

  • drown

    Etymology Middle English drounen dronen Old English drūnian Proto West Germanic d

  • obstruct

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

  • become

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true sense

  • perish

    Etymology Old French perir Latin perire from per meaning completely ire mean