To suffocate; to stop the breath or action of the lungs by crowding something into the windpipe, or by infusing a substance into the lungs, or by other means; to choke; as, to stifle one with smoke or dust.

To stop; as, to stifle the breath; to stifle respiration.

To oppress; to stop the breath temporarily; as, to stifle one with kisses; to be stifled in a close room or with bad air.

To extinguish; to deaden; to quench; as, to stifle flame; to stifle a fire by smoke or by ashes.

To suppress; to hinder from transpiring or spreading; as, to stifle a report.

To extinguish; to check or restrain and destroy; to suppress; as, to stifle a civil war in its birth,

To suppress or repress; to conceal; to withhold from escaping or manifestation; as, to stifle passion; to stifle grief; to stifle resentment.

To suppress; to destroy; as, to stifle convictions.

The joint of a horse next to the buttock, and corresponding to the knee in man; called also the stifle joint.

A disease in the knee-pan of a horse or other animal.