Smother \Smoth"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smothered; p. pr. & vb. n. Smothering.]

[OE. smotheren; akin to E. smoor. See Smoor.]

1. To destroy the life of by suffocation; to deprive of the air necessary for life; to cover up closely so as to prevent breathing; to suffocate; as, to smother a child.

2. To affect as by suffocation; to stife; to deprive of air by a thick covering, as of ashes, of smoke, or the like; as, to smother a fire.

3. Hence, to repress the action of; to cover from public view; to suppress; to conceal; as, to smother one's displeasure.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)