'Stifling' definitions:

Definition of 'stifling'

From: WordNet
adjective
Characterized by oppressive heat and humidity; "the summer was sultry and oppressive"; "the stifling atmosphere"; "the sulfurous atmosphere preceding a thunderstorm" [syn: sultry, stifling, sulfurous, sulphurous]
noun
Forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority; "the suppression of heresy"; "the quelling of the rebellion"; "the stifling of all dissent" [syn: suppression, crushing, quelling, stifling]

Definition of 'Stifling'

From: GCIDE
  • Stifle \Sti"fle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stifled; p. pr. & vb. n. Stifling.] [Freq. of OE. stif stiff; cf. Icel. st[imac]fla to dam up.]
  • 1. To stop the breath of by crowding something into the windpipe, or introducing an irrespirable substance into the lungs; to choke; to suffocate; to cause the death of by such means; as, to stifle one with smoke or dust. [1913 Webster]
  • Stifled with kisses, a sweet death he dies. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • I took my leave, being half stifled with the closeness of the room. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To stop; to extinguish; to deaden; to quench; as, to stifle the breath; to stifle a fire or flame. [1913 Webster]
  • Bodies . . . stifle in themselves the rays which they do not reflect or transmit. --Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To suppress the manifestation or report of; to smother; to conceal from public knowledge; as, to stifle a story; to stifle passion. [1913 Webster]
  • I desire only to have things fairly represented as they really are; no evidence smothered or stifled. --Waterland. [1913 Webster]