suffocation

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English suffocation, suffocacioun, from Middle French suffocation, from Latin suffocatio.

noun

  1. (uncountable) Asphyxia—a condition in which an extreme decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the body accompanied by an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide leads to loss of consciousness or death.
    A child left unattended may die of suffocation.
  2. (countable) A particular act of death or killing by means of asphyxia.
    The coroner reported three suffocations last week.

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