| suffocation | The act of suffocating, or the state of being suffocated; death caused by smothering or choking. The term suffocation is sometimes employed synonymously with asphyxia. In the strict medico-legal sense it signifies asphyxia induced by obstruction of the respiration otherwise than by direct pressure on the neck (hanging, strangulation) or submersion (drowning). Origin: L. Suffocatio: cf. F. Suffocation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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