[-ING1.]

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  1.  The action of STIFLE v.1; suffocating, smothering, suppressing, etc.; † numbing; † strangulation.

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1548.  Patten, Exped. Scot., Pref. c vj b, marg. Cast in a deadly slumber with a stifelinge, & benumminge of al partes.

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1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, V. xxxviii. 602. The seede of wilde Carrot … is very good agaynst the suffocation and stiflinges of the Matrix.

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1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 21, ¶ 7. Retainers to Physick, who … amuse themselves with the stifling of Cats in an Air Pump.

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1805.  Wordsw., Waggoner, i. 19. Now and then Comes a tired and sultry breeze With a haunting and a panting, Like the stifling of disease.

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1882.  Garden, 18 March, 178/2. This hardy little plant [Auricula] cannot bear stifling or coddling in high heat and close air.

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  † 2.  Farriery. (See quot.) Obs.

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1610.  L. W. C., Perf. Disc. Horse (1624), B 4. For the paine in the Head, or Stifeling.

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