Where does “asphyxiation” come from?

Asphyxiation derives from Latin asphyxia, from Ancient Greek ἀ- (privative prefix) and σφύζω (to throb or pulse), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European sem- (to seem or appear).

asphyxiation (English): Death due to lack of oxygen; An acute lack of...

Definitions

  1. Death due to lack of oxygen; An acute lack of...

Ancestry of “asphyxiation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishasphyxiateTo smother or suffocate someone; To be smothered...
2English-atehaving the specified thing; characterized by the...
3English-cyUsed to form nouns of state, condition or quality...
4Anglo-Norman-cie
5Latin-tiaoffice, rank
6Latin-iaUsed to form a feminine abstract noun, usually...
7Latin-iusforming adjectives from nouns; nominative neuter...
8Proto-Italic-jōsForms comparative adjectives
9Proto-Indo-European-yósCreates adjectives from noun or verb stems

Words derived from “asphyxiation

Every word from Proto-Indo-European -yósEvery word from Latin -iaEvery word from English -ate
asphyxiation — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer