/'smʌðə(r); `smʌðɚ/
v
1 [I, Tn] (cause sb to) die from lack of air, or from not being able to breathe; suffocate （使某人）窒息, 闷死
*He smothered the baby with a pillow. 他用枕头把婴儿闷死了.
* (fig 比喻) She felt smothered with kindness. 她感受到难以消受的热情.
2 [Tn] put out or keep down (a fire) by covering it with ashes, sand, etc 用灰、沙等熄灭或闷住（火）
*If you put too much coal on the fire at once you'll smother it. 在火上一下子添上很多煤, 反而能把火闷死.
* Smother the flames from the burning pan with a wet towel. 用湿毛巾把锅里的火扑灭.
* (fig 比喻) smother a yawn, smile, laugh, etc, ie prevent it from developing 忍住哈欠、微笑、大笑等
* (fig 比喻) He had to smother a giggle. 他得抑制住自己, 不咯咯地笑出声来.
3 [Tn.pr] ~ sth/sb with/in sth cover sth/sb thickly or to too great an extent 厚厚地或大面积地覆盖某物[某人]
*a pudding smothered in cream 有很厚的奶油的布丁
* smother a child with kisses 不停地吻着孩子.

v [T]
[Date: 1100-1200; Origin: smother 'thick smoke' (12-19 centuries), from Old English smorian 'to suffocate']
to completely cover the whole surface of something with something else, often in a way that seems unnecessary or unpleasant
smother sth with/in sth
　noodles smothered in garlic sauce
to kill someone by putting something over their face to stop them breathing
→suffocate
　A teenage mother was accused of smothering her 3-month-old daughter.
to stop yourself from showing your feelings or from doing an action
= stifle
　The girls tried to smother their giggles.
to give someone so much love and attention that they feel as if they are not free and become unhappy
　I don't want him to feel smothered.
smother sb with kisses
to kiss someone a lot
to make a fire stop burning by preventing air from reaching it
　We used a wet towel to smother the fire.
to get rid of anyone who opposes you - used to show disapproval
　They ruthlessly smother all opposition.