STIFLE, L., stiff and stop. Gr.

1. To suffocate to stop the breath or action of the lungs by crowding something into the windpipe, or by infusing a substance into the lungs, or by other means to choke as, to stifle one with smoke or dust.
2. To stop as, to stifle the breath to stifle respiration.
3. To oppress to stop the breath temporarily as, to stifle one with kisses to be stifled in a close room or with bad air.
4. To extinguish to deaden to quench as, to stifle flame to stifle a fire by smoke or by ashes.
5. To suppress to hinder from transpiring or spreading as, to stifle a report.
6. To extinguish to check or restrain and destroy to suppress as, to stifle a war in its birth.
7. To suppress or repress to conceal to withhold from escaping or manifestation as, to stifle passion to stifle grief to stifle resentment.
8. To suppress to destroy as, to stifle convictions.

STIFLE, n.

1. The joint of a horse next to the buttock, and corresponding to the knee in man called also the stifle joint.
2. A disease in the knee-pan of a horse or other animal.