Main Entry: 1choke
Pronunciation: 'chOk
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): choked; chok·ing
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of achoken, from Old English AcEocian, from A-, perfective prefix + cEoce, cEace jaw, cheek -- more at ABIDE, CHEEK
Date: 14th century
transitive senses
1 : to check normal breathing of by compressing or obstructing the trachea or by poisoning or adulterating available air
2 a : to check the growth, development, or activity of b : to obstruct by filling up or clogging c : to fill completely : JAM
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
intransitive senses
1 : to become choked in breathing
2 a : to become obstructed or checked b : to become or feel constricted in the throat (as from strong emotion) -- usually used with up
3 : to shorten one's grip especially on the handle of a bat -- usually used with up
4 : to lose one's composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation
