Smother

Smother is a verb that means to deprive someone of air by covering the nose and mouth or by blocking the flow of air. It can also mean to cover something thickly or to suppress or stifle a flame, an emotion, or an activity. As a noun, smother can refer to a thick covering or layer that suppresses what lies beneath.

The word has Old English and Germanic roots, and has been used in English for many centuries; its exact linguistic origins are uncertain. The sense related to air deprivation is the primary meaning in everyday use, while the cooking sense emerges from the idea of covering a dish to trap moisture.

Smothering a person is dangerous and often illegal; it can cause asphyxia, loss of consciousness, or death. It is considered a serious form of violence or abuse, and emergency services should be contacted if someone is at risk. In medical contexts, asphyxia is a condition characterized by insufficient oxygen reaching the body.

In cooking, smothering is a technique in which food is cooked slowly in a covered pan with a small amount of liquid or fat, producing tender meat and flavorful sauce. Dishes such as smothered pork chops or smothered chicken are examples of this method. The term can also appear in metaphorical usage, such as to smother a protest or smother a rumor, meaning to suppress.