[mod.L., a. Gr. ἀσφυξία, f. ἀ priv. + σφύξις pulse (whence also asphyxis has occas. been used). See also ASPHYXY.]
1. lit. Stoppage of the pulse.
1706. Phillips, Asphyxia, a Cessation of the Pulse throughout the whole Body; which is the highest degree of Swooning and next to Death.
1731. Bailey, Asphyxia, a Deficiency or Privation of the Pulse in some Cases, where it stops for a Time.
1864. Webster, Asphyxia … applied also to the collapsed state in cholera, with want of pulse.
2. The condition of suspended animation produced by a deficiency of oxygen in the blood; suffocation. Also fig.
[It indicates a curious infelicity of etymology that the pulse in asphyxiated animals continues to beat long after all signs of respiratory action have ceased. Syd. Soc. Lex., 1881.]
1778. T. Brand (title), The Cure of Asphyxis or apparent death by Drowning.
1836. Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Phys., 259/1. Asphyxia may be produced by section of the spinal cord.
1858. O. W. Holmes, Aut. Breakf.-t., xii. 120. Lingering asphyxia of soul.
1872. Huxley, Phys., iv. 98. When a man is strangled, drowned, or choked … what is called asphyxia comes on.
