asphyxia

American  

[as-fik-see-uh] / æsˈfɪk si ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. the extreme condition caused by lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, produced by interference with respiration or insufficient oxygen in the air; suffocation.

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asphyxia British  

/ æsˈfɪksɪə /

noun

1. lack of oxygen in the blood due to restricted respiration; suffocation. If severe enough and prolonged, it causes death

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asphyxia Scientific  

/ ăs-fĭk′sē-ə /

1. A condition characterized by an extreme decrease in the amount of oxygen in the body accompanied by an increase of carbon dioxide, caused by an an inability to breathe. Asphyxia usually results in loss of consciousness and sometimes death.

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Other Word Forms

• asphyxial adjective

Etymology

Origin of asphyxia

First recorded in 1700–10; from New Latin, from Greek asphyxía “a stopping of the pulse,” equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + sphýx(is) “pulse” + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

An autopsy determined Otieno died of asphyxia while he was in handcuffs and metal leg restraints and held to the floor for about 11 minutes.

From Seattle Times

Bronstein’s death prompted the CHP to change its policies to prevent officers “from using techniques or transport methods that involve a substantial risk of positional asphyxia,” the agency said.

From Seattle Times

An official autopsy conducted by Virginia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that Mr Otieno had died of "positional and mechanical asphyxia with restraints", the office said on Monday.

From BBC

The prosecutor has said Otieno died of asphyxia as law enforcement officers and hospital staff piled on him.

From Washington Post

Prosecutors have said a preliminary post-mortem examination indicated that Mr Otieno died from asphyxia.

From BBC

Related Words

• coma
• slumber
• trance