Choke Definition

chōk
choked, chokes, choking
verb
choked, chokes, choking
To interfere with the respiration of by compression or obstruction of the larynx or trachea.
American Heritage Medicine
To prevent from breathing by blocking the windpipe; suffocate; smother; stifle; often, specif., to prevent from breathing by squeezing the throat of; strangle.
Webster's New World
To block up; obstruct by clogging.
Webster's New World
To hinder the growth or action of; smother; suppress.
Webster's New World
To become strained with emotion.
A choked voice.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
noun
chokes
The act of choking; strangulation.
Webster's New World
A sound of choking.
Webster's New World
The valve that chokes a carburetor.
Webster's New World
A slight narrowing of the barrel of a shotgun serving to concentrate the shot.
American Heritage
A constriction, as in a chokebore.
Webster's New World
idiom
choke back
  • to hold back (feelings, sobs, etc.)
Webster's New World
choke down
  • to swallow with difficulty
Webster's New World
choke off
  • to bring to an end; end the growth of
Webster's New World
choke up
  • to block up; clog
  • to fill too full
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Choke

Noun

Singular:
choke
Plural:
chokes

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Choke

Origin of Choke

  • From Middle English choken (also cheken), from Old English *ċēocian, āċēocian (“to choke”), probably derived from Old English ċēoce, ċēace (“jaw, cheek”), see cheek. Cognate with Icelandic kok (“throat”), koka (“to gulp”). See also achoke.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English choken short for achoken from Old English āceōcian ā- intensive pref. cēoce, cēace jaw, cheek

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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