First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1smother
noun smoth·er \ˈsmə-thər\
Definition of SMOTHER
1
a : thick stifling smoke or smudge b : a state of being stifled or suppressed
2
: a dense cloud (as of fog or dust)
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Origin of SMOTHER
Middle English, alteration of smorther, from smoren to smother, from Old English smorian to suffocate; akin to Middle Dutch smoren to suffocate
2smother
verb
: to kill (someone) by covering the face so that breathing is not possible
: to cover (something) in order to keep it from growing or spreading
: to try to keep (something) from happening : to try to stop doing (something)
smoth·eredsmoth·er·ing \ˈsmə-thə-riŋ, ˈsməth-riŋ\
Full Definition of SMOTHER
intransitive verb
: to be overcome or killed through or as if through lack of air
transitive verb
1
: to overcome or kill with smoke or fumes
2
a : to kill by depriving of air b : to overcome or discomfit through or as if through lack of air c : to suppress (a fire) by excluding oxygen
3
a : to cause to smolder b : to suppress expression or knowledge of <smothered his rage> c : to stop or prevent the growth or activity of <smother a child with too much care>; also : overwhelm d : to cover thickly : blanket <snow smothered the trails> e : to overcome or vanquish quickly or decisively
4
: to cook in a covered pan or pot with little liquid over low heat
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First Known Use of SMOTHER
circa 1520
SMOTHER Defined for Kids
smother
verb smoth·er \ˈsmə-thər\
smoth·eredsmoth·er·ing
Definition of SMOTHER for Kids
1
: to kill or injure by keeping from getting air or by exposing to smoke or fumes : suffocate
2
: to become suffocated
3
: to keep from growing or developing by or as if by covering <smother a fire> <… anguish smothered her smallest joy. — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising>
4
: to keep from happening : suppress <I tried to smother a yawn.>
5
: to cover thickly <The salad was smothered with dressing.>
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