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Webster 1913 Edition
Smother
Smoth′er
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Smothered
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Smothering
.] 1.
To destroy the life of by suffocation; to deprive of the air necessary for life; to cover up closely so as to prevent breathing; to suffocate;
as, to
. smother
a child2.
To affect as by suffocation; to stife; to deprive of air by a thick covering, as of ashes, of smoke, or the like;
as, to
. smother
a fire3.
Hence, to repress the action of; to cover from public view; to suppress; to conceal;
as, to
. smother
one’s displeasureSmoth′er
,Verb.
I.
1.
To be suffocated or stifled.
2.
To burn slowly, without sufficient air; to smolder.
1.
Stifling smoke; thick dust.
Shak.
2.
A state of suppression.
[Obs.]
Not to keep their suspicions in
smother
. Bacon.
Smother fly
(Zool.)
, an aphid.
Webster 1828 Edition
Smother
SMOTHER
,Verb.
T.
1.
To suffocate of extinguish life by causing smoke or dust to enter the lungs; to stifle.2.
To suffocate or extinguish by closely covering, and be the exclustion of air; as, to smother a child in bed.3.
To suppress; to stifle; as, to smother the light of the understanding.SMOTHER
,Noun.
1.
Smoke; thick dust.2.
A state of suppression. [Not in use.]