definitions

strangles

[ strang-guh lz ]
/ ˈstræŋ gəlz /
||

noun (used with a singular verb) Veterinary Pathology.

distemper1(def 1b).

Nearby words

stranger's gallery, stranger, the, strangle, stranglehold, strangler, strangles, strangulate, strangulated hernia, strangulation, strangury, stranraer

Origin of strangles

1590–1600; obsolete strangle act of strangling + -s3

Definition for strangles (2 of 2)

strangle

[ strang-guhl ]
/ ˈstræŋ gəl /

verb (used with object), stran·gled, stran·gling.

to kill by squeezing the throat in order to compress the windpipe and prevent the intake of air, as with the hands or a tightly drawn cord.
to kill by stopping the breath in any manner; choke; stifle; suffocate.
to prevent the continuance, growth, rise, or action of; suppress: Censorship strangles a free press.

verb (used without object), stran·gled, stran·gling.

to be choked, stifled, or suffocated.

Origin of strangle

1250–1300; Middle English strangelen < Old French estrangler < Latin strangulāre < Greek strangalân, derivative of strangálē halter, akin to strangós twisted

SYNONYMS FOR strangle

1 garrote, throttle, choke.
2 smother.
3 check, repress, gag, muzzle.

Related forms

stran·gler, nounstran·gling·ly, adverbun·stran·gled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for strangles

British Dictionary definitions for strangles (1 of 2)

strangles

/ (ˈstræŋɡəlz) /

noun

(functioning as singular) an acute bacterial disease of horses caused by infection with Streptococcus equi, characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, resulting in abscesses and a nasal dischargeAlso called: equine distemper

Word Origin for strangles

C18: from strangle

British Dictionary definitions for strangles (2 of 2)

strangle

/ (ˈstræŋɡəl) /

verb

(tr) to kill by compressing the windpipe; throttle
(tr) to prevent or inhibit the growth or development ofto strangle originality
(tr) to suppress (an utterance) by or as if by swallowing suddenlyto strangle a cry
See also strangles

Word Origin for strangle

C13: via Old French, ultimately from Greek strangalē a halter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for strangles

strangle

[ străng′gəl ]

v.

To compress the trachea so as to prevent sufficient passage of air; suffocate.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.