Choke

Choke, chōk, v.t. to throttle: to suffocate: to stop or obstruct: to suppress.—v.i. to be choked or suffocated.—n. the action of choking.—n. Choke′-bore, the bore of a gun when narrowed at the muzzle so as to concentrate the shot: a shot-gun so bored.—v.t. to bore in such a way.—n. Choke′-cherr′y, a name given to certain nearly allied species of cherry, natives of North America, whose fruit, though at first rather agreeable, is afterwards astringent in the mouth.—adj. Choked, suffocated, clogged.—n. Choke′damp, the carbonic acid gas given off by coal which accumulates in coal-mines, and may suffocate those exposed to it.—adj. Choke′-full (see Chock-full).—ns. Chok′er, one who chokes: a neckerchief; Chok′ing, suffocation.—adj. smothering.—adj. Chok′y, tending to choke: inclined to choke.—Choke off, to put an end to, as if by choking; Choke up, to obstruct completely, to suffocate.—White choker, a white neckerchief worn by clergymen, &c. [Prob. from sound.]