asphyxier
asphyxiate, suffocate
verb ahs-feek-SYEH Rare
Origin: Greek asphyxia (stopping of the pulse)
Usage Note
Asphyxier is used both literally (to suffocate a person or animal) and figuratively (to stifle or choke, as taxes asphyxient an economy). The reflexive s'asphyxier means to suffocate oneself. The related noun is asphyxie (f) and the adjective asphyxiant(e) means suffocating or stifling.
Examples
"La fumée risquait de les asphyxier."
Natural Translation
The smoke threatened to asphyxiate them.
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