smother

views updated

smoth·er / ˈsmə[voicedth]ər/ • v. [tr.] kill (someone) by covering their nose and mouth so that they suffocate. ∎  extinguish (a fire) by covering it. ∎  (smother someone/something in/with) cover someone or something entirely with: rich orange sorbets smothered in fluffy whipped cream | fig. he smothered her with kisses. ∎  make (someone) feel trapped and oppressed by acting in an overly protective manner toward them: it's time for you to leave the house—she'll smother you if you remain. ∎  suppress (a feeling or an action): she smothered a sigh. ∎  (in sports) stop the motion of (the ball or a shot) by falling on it and covering it: the goalkeeper was able to smother the ball. ∎  cook in a covered container, typically with a sauce and vegetables on top: [as adj.] (smothered) smothered fried chicken. • n. a mass of something that stifles or obscures: all this vanished in a smother of foam.DERIVATIVES: smoth·er·y adj.