Dictionary entry

Smother

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Smoth″er (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Smothered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Smothering.] [OE. smotheren; akin to E. smoor. See Smoor.] 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 child.

2. 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 fire.

3. Hence, to repress the action of; to cover from public view; to suppress; to conceal; as, to smother one's displeasure.