Choke

Origin

Middle English, alteration of achoken, from Old English ācēocian, from ā-, perfective prefix + cēoce, cēace jaw, cheek

• 14th Century

Definitions

• 1: to check or block normal breathing of by compressing or obstructing the trachea or by poisoning or adulterating available air
• 2a : to check or hinder the growth, development, or activity of <the flowers were choked by the weeds>

b : to obstruct by filling up or clogging <leaves choked the drain>

c : to fill completely : jam <roads choked with traffic>

• 3: to enrich the fuel mixture of (a motor) by partially shutting off the air intake of the carburetor
• 4: to grip (as a baseball bat) some distance from the end of the handle —usually used with up

Description

Choking is the mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the environment into the lungs. Choking prevents breathing, and can be partial or complete, with partial choking allowing some, although inadequate, flow of air into the lungs. Prolonged or complete choking results in asphyxia which leads to anoxia and is potentially fatal. Oxygen stored in the blood and lungs keep the victim alive for several minutes after breathing is stopped completely.[1]

See also

• Suffocation