Strangle

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈstɹæŋ.É¡É™l/
• Rhymes: -æŋɡəl

Origin

From Old French estrangler, from Latin strangulo, from Ancient Greek στραγγαλόομαι (strangaloomai, "to strangle"), from στραγγάλη (strangalē, "a halter"); compare στραγγός (strangos, "twisted").

Full definition of strangle

Verb

1. (transitive) To kill someone by squeezing the throat so as to cut off the oxygen supply; to choke, suffocate or throttle.He strangled his wife and dissolved the body in acid.
2. (transitive) To stifle or suppress an action.She strangled a scream.
3. (intransitive) To be killed by strangulation, or become strangled.The cat slipped from the branch and strangled on its bell-collar.
4. (intransitive) To be stifled, choked, or suffocated in any manner.
• ShakespeareShall I not then be stifled in the vault, ... And there die strangled ere my Romeo comes?

Related terms

• strangulate
• strangulation

Anagrams

• tanglers